Paul Douglas ”Doug” Hamilton
Paul Douglas ”Doug” Hamilton, age 65, of Shelby, died peacefully and unexpectedly in his sleep, Sunday, August 3, 2014 at his home.
He was born May 15, 1949 in Rowan County, Morehead, KY the son of the late Stanley Carter and Odell G. (McFarland) Hamilton. Doug was a 1968 graduate of Shelby Sr. High School where he ran track, and played basketball. He attended Midland Business College in Ashland. He was drafted into the United States Army serving in Vietnam as a military policeman from 1970-1972. On February 18, 1972, he married his high school sweetheart and next-door neighbor, Cathy Mae (Stanley) Hamilton.
Known as “Stretch” to his friends at the Tuby, he was currently in his 47th year of employment where he was a mill operator.
Sports were a big part of his life as he coached his children, grandchildren and other children in the community in softball, basketball and baseball. Doug enjoyed Nascar and was a huge Kentucky Wildcat and Atlanta Braves fan.
Doug enjoyed life in many ways. His favorite thing to do was going to the beach at St. Augustine, Florida. He enjoyed walking the beach with his wife and family and had an eye for finding star fish and sand dollars. His other pastimes included growing vegetables (especially tomatoes) , listening to music (Union Station, Fleetwood Mac, Beatles, Abba, and CCR), drinking sweet tea, and walking in the rain with his wife. Doug loved spending time every day for over 30 years with his Breakfast Club friends at McDonalds, and enjoying the company of his beloved dogs, Lil’ Bill and Baxter.
Doug is survived by the love of his life: Cathy Hamilton of Shelby; 3 children: Robin (Matt) Smedley of Shiloh, Jennifer Markwell (fiancé, Eric Rath) and Dustin (Rachel) Hamilton all of Shelby; 8 grandchildren: Dustin Markwell, Austin Markwell, Cassidy Smedley, Remington Smedley, Kennady Smedley, Kashton Hamilton, Kierra Rath, Kaiden Rath;
Also surviving are brother in-laws and sister in-laws: Ed Hensley of Norwalk, Vicki (Earl) Strine of NC, Rhonda (Mark) Carey of Mansfield; Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.
Family and friends are welcome on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 from 3-5 and 7-9 PM at the Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby where funeral services will be conducted on Thursday at 11 AM by his cousin Michael Atkins. Military honors will follow. Memorial expressions may be made to Akron Children’s Hospital. To leave a condolence or to share a memory with the Hamilton family, please visit: penwellturner.com
Kathy and family,
Please accept our heartfelt sympathy. What a shock and loss to all. May your memories comfort you now and always. You’re in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Dennis and Fran Longnecker
Jenny and family
So sorry re: the loss of your father. My prayers are with you.
Love, Annie
My sympathy to your family. Doug was loved and admired by everyone who knew him and he will be missed every day!
When I heard the news yesterday, my family and I were devastated. My papaw was a very special person to us. I Miss And Love Him So Much! My heart sank. I Love You Papaw! I’ll see you again! I know that for sure. Rest In Peace, Papaw. Never Forget That I Love You.
Your Grandaughter,
Kenna
Stretch will definitely be missed by all who knew him. He never failed to share a funny story or joke when you saw him out. His smile was contagious and I’m definitely glad that I knew him. My prayers are with Kathy and the family, it’s hard to believe he’s gone. May God give you comfort during this difficult time
Sincerely,
Bryan Long
Jenni and family so sorry for your loss. I will be lifting your family up in prayers, may god comfort you and keep you…
Sorry for your loss Lived across the street from you all back in the 60s on 2nd st Thoughts and
Prayers to your family in this time of sorrow
Cathy,
I’am so sorry you have to go through this after we just got done talking about how short life is. You and your family have my deepest sympathy as you go forward these next few days and weeks. Will be praying for you also.
Deepest sympathy to all you of in the loss of your husband, dad and grandfather. May God give you comfort during this difficult time. Our prayers are with you.
I’m so extremely sorry to hear about Doug. He was a great man that I’m so glad I got to share so many great memories especially ones at St. Augustine. I just shared what he taught me about catching crabs and things at the ocean with my kids last week and how we went there 13 plus years together. A great man was taken way too early but, an amazing angel was gained. I love you all and your in our prayers!
Love,
Dan, Amber, Eli and Chloe
Cathy, Robin, Jenny, Dustin and all of your family,
What a shock to hear of your loss. Our family sends their condolences. Our thought & prayers are with you all.
Sincerely,
Ken & Jan West & family
Jenni, Dustin and Austin –
My deepest sympathy to you and your entire family.
We have been in shock since getting the news of your loss. Both of us are extremely saddened by this, Stretch was always teasing us…telling us to get a room…or telling Terry he better have soup beans and cornbread ready when he picked me up from work…and since I lived in St. Augustine for a time we shared stories about that wonderful place. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your entire family.
Robin and family,
So very sorry to hear of your loss. You’ll be in my prayers.
Cathy and children, may you find strength in God as he wraps his arms around you at this time. Remember those trips to St. Augustine, Morehead and all the fun the two of you have had in your life. I will be thinking of you all. Much love to you.
Chloe’
Jenni, and all of the family, I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers to all of you during this difficult time.
Robin, Jenny, and family
So sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Robin, Jenny, and Family
So sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Cathy my thoughts are with you and your family. I am so very very sorry. Praying for comfort and peace.
So very sorry to hear of your loss. You are in our prayers for peace and comfort. God bless!
Dearest Loving Cathy and children,
God put a very special man in your life. He filled life with a lot of memories. Doug gave you all he could give you love, learning, teaching, a income, etc. So take all that and remember he left here loving you. Sorry, that he is gone now still you have so many precious memories to remember him by. Praying for you all that God will help you through the rough times and give you peace and love in your heart that Doug gave to you all.
God Bless You.
Love and Prayers.
Valerie & Junior Mulvane
Bobby Jordans sister.
To Cathy, children and family, My deepest sympathy goes out to all of you. May God Bless and Keep You and Yours Always! Although I hadn’t seen Doug in a long time, I’m sure he will be missed greatly! I remember a lot of great times back in the school days of the 60’s. Doug and you are in my prayers! Fred Studer
Jenny,
So sorry for your loss. You and the rest of your family are in our thoughts.
The Conants
Robin, so very sorry for you and the whole family, I wish I could ease your pain, I am thinking of you.
My deepest sympathy goes out to you Kathy. Doug was a good man, loved by so many. May God comfort and hold you close in this time of sorrow. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers
Doug was an awesome man he and I spent a lot of time together over the years such an awesome grandfather or as they would say Pa-paw! He taught them so much all his little pranks he would play or do to all of us. I see so much of him in both of the boy’s they are going to miss him so much,as will myself and everyone else that you touched. Heaven gained a great man.
Cathy and family,
I was surprised and very saddened by the news. Although we are no longer in the area, my family will keep you in our prayers. You have our deepest and most sincere sympathy. Know that his memory will live in many people for ever—-all of those that he touched in so many ways. Personally, when I was at the Tuby, I knew I could rely on him to help with anything that I asked.
John Helinski
So sorry to hear of your loss. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Cathy so sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and family.
Cathy,so sorry for your loss.Prayers and love.God be with you
Dear Cathy, Robin and family,
We were so saddened to hear of Doug’s passing. As I read the obituary, I recalled the days Cathy and he dated. Such a loss to all of you. May your grief be lessened with each passing day, knowing how much others care and are keeping you in their prayers and close to their hearts.
Our sincere sympathy,
Ken and Paula Sturgill
Cathy and family,
We were so sorry to see the news about your beloved husband, father and grandfather. I still remember the day that I was walking my dog and Doug stopped me to tell me about the Jack he had just lost. I knew instantly he was a kind and loving person. I am so glad we got to know him thru our jacks. We will miss seeing you and him and his boys, Lil’Bill and Baxter in the neighborhood. Take Care and God Bless
Dan and Lynn Johnson
We are very sorry for your loss, we have known him since the 4th grade, always a special friend, prayers of love an comfort.
Dear Robin, Matt & Family,
I am so sorry to hear about your dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. I know how hard it can be as I have lost my dad as well. Just rely on God and He will be your strength and comfort at this time.
Jennifer- sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and your family.
Stretch was a special person to so many of us. His visit a couple of weeks ago will always be treasured. Your kind and loving family is quite a testament to the type of husband, father, and grandfather that Doug was. God bless you with peace and comfort during this tough time. Although we are all in mourning, heaven is celebrating his coming! Love you all!
Robin and Matt, Sorry to hear about your dad your in my thoughts and prayers.
Cathy, I’m very sorry for your loss. Hold on to your wonderful memories, they will help you on those very hard days. Gather your family close and hold on to one another. Love and Peace Always…
Kathy
So sorry for your loss, our thoughts and hearts our with you and your family during this time. May God bless you and give you peace and comfort.
Love Richard & Elaine Balsizer
Jenni-
I am so very sorry for the loss of your father. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dustin, Rachel and Kash,
Sorry to hear about the passing of your father/grandfather. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Very sorry to hear about Doug. He coached our youngest son in Jr. High basketball. He and I use to talk the game. He knew it well ! He was a good man and it didn’t take long to figure that out when you first met him. Again so sorry for your loss. Tom and Linda
Cathy and family, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. God Bless!
We’ve only known “Stretch” for a couple years but it feels like we’ve know him forever. His love for life was very obvious. He had a caring and compassionate heart for everyone he knew and always had a smile on his face. He always had a kind and comical word that would brighten our day.
We are praying for Cathy and the family in this very difficult time. Remember all the good memories, his pranks, his laughter, and his stories.
We miss our neighbor and friend already.
Trent and Shelly Heyman
Cathy we were so shocked to read the news of Doug’s passing. We had met him a few times, but have known you and your family for a lot of years. Our hearts and prayers go out to you and your children, the grandchildren and the extended family. God only takes the best as we are told time and again, and from all the wonderful posts we are reading we are sure that is the case with Doug. Lean on the one who your strength will come from during this difficult time, that is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our prayers will be for strength for you and the family during the next several days to come.
Rev. S. T. and Betty Adkins
Dear Cathy and Family
So very sorry to hear of Dougs passing. Glad we got to talk to both of you at McDonalds not very long ago. May God keep his arms around all of you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Call me to talk or let me know if I can do anything.
Cathy,
So sorry for your loss, Doug was a great friend who will be missed by so many people. He was always a kind and gentle person who always had time to talk to everyone. We had so many great memories from our high school days playing basketball and running track. i will never forget him!
Rick Fisher
Cathy and family, I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Mike and I would like to extend our feelings of sorrow on the passing of Doug. What a great person he was. Together you built a blessing of a family and real asset to Shelby’s community.
Sorry to hear of your loss. Wish I could be there for calling hours but I am out of town today. Just remember that God is in control. Will be praying for you.
We are very sorry to learn of Doug passing. I enjoyed coaching with him and he was a good man. Our sympathies are with you all.
Ed and Jean
Cathy so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you and your family. Will keep you in my prayers.
Robin and Family,
Sorry for loss of your Father. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
So sorry to hear of your loss. Doug will be missed. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Dustin & family,
So very sorry to hear the news. He was a good man. I always enjoyed chatting with him. Godspeed to your entire family.
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts & prayers are with you. He will be greatly missed.
Dustin Hamilton and Family,
I’m so sorry to hear about this dear friend of mine. When I worked at Plant #2, Stretch was always kind and enjoyed talking with me. It truly left a deep sadness in my heart! My thoughts and prayers are truly with you.
I would first like to thank each and every person who took the time to either come and say a kind word, give a hug, or write a condolence on here.
To My Dad:
I know how hard you worked all those years, you never complained. You were simply the best father that a son could ever ask for. I am going to do all the things you asked me to do should this ever happen. We will always wonder why the Lord chose you that night. Maybe he needed a little better jump shooter on his starting five. I know I have a lot of work to do to see you again. My promise to you is I am going to start working on that today. You made everyone around you want to be a better person, father, Pappaw, tube maker, basketball player. You were just simply my best friend, I will hold you in my heart all of my days. I understand now they are never guaranteed. You taught us that most valuable lesson after you took your last breath. Rest in Peace Dad, I Love You!
Dustin and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. He will be missed. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family. God Bless…
To Cathy and Family,
I first really met Doug during our sophomore year at SSHS. I had finally made the basketball team that year, but was, and deservedly so, a distant, third string guard. We had a good team and record that year and Doug was a standout on the team. I remember Doug as a warm, courteous and caring person. He often took the time to talk to me and give me encouragement even though I rarely played. I saw and spoke to Doug last at our 45th Class Reunion in October of last year. We talked briefly about our basketball team and about what we were doing in our lives. Doug looked great and hadn’t changed a bit since we played basketball together our sophomore year. And, as in 1966, Doug was still a gentleman….kind, courteous, caring and someone everyone still respected and loved. They just don’t make them like Doug anymore. He will be missed by so many…..
Bob Mackey
Class of 68
On behalf of my husband and our family, I sincerely want to thank our family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, classmates, and everyone who expressed your love, support, tears, touch, prayers, calls, food, money donations, cards, flowers, and visits during this heartbreaking time in our life. Thank you all for being in our life and for showing such profound respect, love, sympathy, and understanding in so many ways for my husband, Robin-Jenni-and Dustin’s father, and Pappaw to Dustin M., Austin, Cassidy, Remington, Kennady, Kashton, Kierra, and Kaiden. All you have done or said has meant the world to us. Doug was one of a kind and so are all of you. I want to thank the Lord for the many years, blessings,and precious memories we have all had with Doug. I pray for the Lord to guide us all in accepting that Thy will was done, and to help us all show our love and support for each other. Our lives will never be the same without Doug. One thing I know is that he is now at rest and peace. He is carefree and happy in his new heavenly home. He is RETIRED. He is waiting for all of us to be with him. Life here is not forever, but our love for each other and the Lord is forever. Doug so loved the ocean and beach. He once told me, the ocean is like God, we can see the beginning but not the end. He was such a wise man. He is no doubt walking in the sun and sand forever. We will all be with him again, we only have to ask the Lord and it will be done. Doug loved all of you, and so does his wife, children, and grandchildren. God Bless all of you.