Jerry Allen Hamilton, 74, of Norborne died Saturday, May 8, 2021, at home, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on April 19, 1947, in Norborne to Joseph Henry and Lois Edith (Newport) Hamilton II, Jerry was reared and educated in Norborne, graduating in 1965 from Norborne High School. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he proudly served his country with two tours of duty in Vietnam. Upon returning from the service, Jerry married Kris

Williamson in 1969. To this union, three children were born.

On Oct. 27, 1986, Jerry married Theresa Beseau. To this union, two children were born. She survives of the home.

Jerry chased his passions across the country without straying far from his roots. Depending on the time of year, you could find him cooking breakfast in a duck blind, watching for the 9 o’clock flight, in a tree waiting on a whitetail or out on the water wetting a line and telling tales. If the fish were not biting, he enjoyed being in the pits at dirt tracks around the Midwest, in the field stirring up dust or in the outfield at the ballpark cheering with family and friends. Jerry loved working with his hands, building pretty much anything he put his mind to, from tables and chairs to cedar chests and duck boats and all manner of things in between, taking pride in a job well done.

Jerry is survived by his two sons, David (Jenny) Hamilton and Joseph H. (Suzanne) Hamilton III, both of Norborne; three daughters, Carol (Wayne) Stevens of Norborne, Emily (Troy) Adams of Excelsior Springs and Angie (Creighton) Sapp of Columbia; nine grandchildren, Meghan (Jake) Huffmon, Whitney Stevens, Katie Stevens, Hunter Hamilton, Jake Adams, Ellie Hamilton, Autumn Hamilton, Ollie Hamilton and Lathyn Sapp; one great-granddaughter, Charlotte Gibson; two great-grandchildren on the way; and his two brothers, Jack (Conny) Hockett of Warsaw and Rusty (Marsha) Hamilton of Butler.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Bobby Joe Hamilton and Danny Hamilton; one sister, Carol Jean Heil; a brother-in-law, Bob Heil; and a sister-in-law, Merlene Hamilton.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Shirkey Hospice and Palliative Care or the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Richmond, Missouri. They can be dropped off or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home; 507 E. Main St.-P.O. Box 190; Richmond, MO 64085.

Memorial services with visitation will be held on Friday, May 14, at the First Baptist Church, Norborne, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. and services to follow at 11. Inurnment will be in Fairhaven Cemetery, Norborne. Military honors will be conducted by the Navy and the Ray County Veterans. Thurman Funeral Home in Norborne is in charge of the arrangements.

Please share your memories of Jerry with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.