Douglas “Doug” Clyde Hamilton Douglas “Doug” Clyde Hamilton, age 70, of Rockwall, TX, passed away February 14, 2023 just short of a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. Doug was born August 4, 1952, in Dallas, TX, to Freda Lois (Freeman) and Clyde Vaniford Hamilton. Above all else, Doug was a strong Christian and man of faith. His faith only increased over the past year, and he would tell anyone who would listen that he wasn’t too worried about the cancer because he knew God would heal him - be it on this side of Heaven or in Heaven, he would be healed!
Doug was a wonderful leader, teacher, coach, and mentor. He spent many years in different types of ministry ranging from prison visits to hosting youth group activities to driving the golf carts at Lake Pointe Church. Second only to his faith, his family held the utmost importance to him. He was a loving husband, the model of what a phenomenal father should be, a protective and supportive brother, a proud great-uncle, and favorite snuggle partner to both his pup-daughter Salty as well as every single one of his beloved grandpups! Grand-Dad-D aka BigDaddy, aka Brother/Uncle/ Cousin/Mr. Doug will be deeply missed by all those whose lives he had an impact on.
Even though he is physically gone, Doug Hamilton’s spirit will continue to be felt around the Rockwall area and DFW metroplex for many decades to come. You can feel his presence down at Fair Park next to the Fletcher’s Corny Dog stand during The State Fair. His inner “Grove Rat” can always be sensed at The Circle Grill or at the monthly meeting of “The Liars’ Club” in Garland. You can see his visions in any one of the 30+ schools he helped build while serving as a Trustee on the Rockwall ISD School board for 12 consecutive years - the same board he ran for after moving to Rockwall and had to explain to his tearful kindergartener why he couldn’t sit with his big sissy at lunch anymore because she had to attend classes at “the overflow” school. Luckily, there were a handful of other parents in the district that were also tired of the seemingly “don’t build it and they won’t come” mentality who ran for the board at the same time, and the rest, as they say, is school district history! It wasn’t just adding schools that Doug enjoyed he attended as many school events as possible, considered every diploma he handed out to be an honor, and for many years was the voice on the loudspeaker that had everyone giggling as he helped the concession sales of the middle school football games skyrocket! You may have stayed late one night and heard him say, “Goodnight, Alex. I love you!” before shutting off the microphone - because Alex was laid to rest at Resthaven which can be seen from the press box at the football stadium. Doug has no doubt that his play-calling protégé will make him proud this upcoming fall and hopefully for many seasons to come!
Doug was definitely a jack of all trades, but also a master of most - much to the disgruntlement of his children [even though they later learned to just admit it and get on with it - especially if they needed that one thing that Dad could do and/or figure out/get done quickly & correctly!].
His notorious “Daddy Sandwiches” [always missing that one bite], award winning chili, seasonal Chex mix, and Rice Krispy treat recipes will be carried on by his girls until they pass them on, and our mouths water just reading the list!
When he met Janet, Doug was climbing up telephone poles and down into sewers for Southwestern Bell, and after he retired from AirBus as interim CIO for IT data security, he took a job working the produce section of the Kroger on Goliad and had special connections with many of his co-workers who looked up to him as a fatherfigure as they got to watch him walk the walk - like most that Doug encountered. He was a man of true integrity, transparency, and one whose faith was so strong he continued to persevere no matter what life threw at him.
After Alex died in a drunk driving accident in 2009, Doug made it his passion to inspire kids & their parents to communicate with each other, but more specifically: DO NOT WAIT! GO HUG EACH OTHER TIGHT & ALWAYS TELL YOUR PEOPLE YOU LOVE THEM! We would be amiss if we did not insist you now go and do the same! Seriously…!
Doug is survived by his loving wife of 38 years: Janet Hamilton; daughters: Lyndse Hamilton, Kristen Hamilton, and Salty Hamilton; beloved grand-pups: Charlie Alexander, RubyJo, and Albert; sister: Kathie Bailey and husband Dennis of Heath, TX; brother: Donald Glen Hamilton and wife Rhonda of Sunnyvale, TX; uncles: RV Freeman, Grady Hamilton and wife Sue, and Bobby Hamilton and wife Mary; aunts: Jan Martin and husband Dee; and a host of loving cousins [there are just too many of y’all & we have a print limit, but Doug loved you all dearly!], his and other extended family and friends around the globe including his Egyptian family including “Egyptian daughter” Caroline Habib and “Egyptian son” Khalil.
He was preceded in death by his son: Alexander Hamilton; parents: Clyde & Freda; aunt: Patsy Freeman; and most beloved grandmother: Bessie Hamilton.
A celebration of Doug’s life was held at 1:00pm Saturday, February 25, 2023, at The Bridge at Lakepointe Church - The Bridge - Rockwall campus.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to one of the following: Healing Grace Campaign: Donate in Honor of Doug Hamilton and help sponsor education systems in Egyptian villages https://tinyurl.com/honordoughugdonate23 Pancreatic Cancer Research UT Southwestern Transplant Center 214-6451919
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