James "Jim" R. Hamilton

On Sunday, August 6th , James “Jim” Raymond Hamilton, 59, surrounded by family, and best friend Scott Gregory, peacefully left this earth to be in his new home with Our Lord. Jim was the son of Mary Francis Theresa (Dugas) and Norman Dale Hamilton, Sr. born on September 12, 1963. The family will hold a visitation at SS. Francis and Clare Parish, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 12157 Church Street, in Birch Run from 8am to 10am, on Sunday August 13th. Fr. David Jenuwine will preside at the Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Guests may visit and extend their condolences beginning at 8 a.m., up to the time of the funeral. Jim bravely fought brain cancer and throughout his illness he comforted and consoled those closest to him, and was known for his strong faith life. He always said, “I've been very blessed in life.” Part of that blessing was on September 14th 1985, the day he married his beautiful bride Debralee Early. Their marriage produced three daughters, Lisa Marie, Amy Marie and Jamie Rae, who were mentored from toddlerhood to drive and pull tractors, raise farm animals, change their own tires and oil, to hunt, to be thankful and show gratitude. He took great pride in building their independence and versatility. He was a fourth generation Iron Worker and belonged to Iron Workers Local #25. He served 25 years in the Iron Working industry and was a firm believer in standing with and for his brother Iron Workers. He was a fourth degree Knights of Columbus member of council #7233, and a member of SS. Francis and Clare Parish. Earlier in life, he attended weekly Mass with his four siblings and Mother at the then St. Christopher Catholic Church in Bridgeport. In addition, he was a member of Mid-Michigan Oil and Gas Tractor Association, a lifelong member of the Chesaning Area Model Flying Club, and an Eagle Club member. Besides son, husband, brother, father, father-in-law, and grandfather, Jim had many other titles such as food critic, ladies' man, farm and animal lover, original fashionista, fix-it man, and volunteer. As a man who lived within his means, because his parents taught him how to pinch pennies, Jim inherited his food critic skills from his father, Norman Dale Hamilton. He had a lifelong love affair with Koegel's pickled bologna, carrot cake, pancakes and all things related to breakfast. He was known for producing homemade maple syrup from the sap of trees on his own property. His drink of choice was Pepsi, which he was unwilling to share with anyone, except a child; he'd let them sip it out of the top cap. The ladies he loved in life knew his devotion to them. He adored picking on his sister Jeannie for the first 18 years of his life. He loved his Mom with his whole heart, and his Wife and Daughters were his absolute rays of sunshine. He excelled at raising animals on his “want-to-be” farm; he called it that because he wanted it, and 'The Misses' didn't! His gift at outsmarting squirrels and rebuilding tractors or any broken piece of machinery came naturally. He was known to say he could “fix anything but a broken heart and the crack of dawn”. He increased his fix-it knowledge by watching YouTube instructional videos, and was a fan of watching “Alaska: The Last Frontier,” and anything on the History Channel. The famous men's GQ Magazine didn't have anything on Jim who took fashion cues from no one. He developed his own look – a cut-off, sleeveless Fruit of the Loom T-shirt, $10 Full Blues jeans with lots of pockets, sold exclusively at Dunham's Sporting Goods, a western cut denim long sleeved, snap buttoned shirt, a pair of old Red Wing work boots, and a grease-stained baseball cap. Dressing up was basically the same attire, but swapped out with a felt cowboy hat, and maybe less grease. He loved to travel and camp, and was fond of the state park in Lewiston. He was known for staying on state land at the end of some road. He restored his childhood camper, which was later lost in a fire, but he then purchased a luxury fifth wheel for his family to travel in style – this spoiled his wife and daughters for life. Perhaps his top two greatest gifts people will remember the most about Jim were his humor and serving the needs of others. He had the ability to make people laugh while spinning a great story with many embellishments, mishaps, and some thread of truth. His brothers Dave, Rick and Norm Jr., were, sorry to say, not as gifted in the story telling department. His number one greatest trait was his willingness to help people – anytime, day or night. He'd often receive calls from morning til night from someone asking him to fix a washing machine, furnace, or vehicle. He'd do it. He also showed compassion and lived life as a Good Samaritan to those stranded on the side of the road in need of a tire change or a tow. His memory is left to treasure by: parents: Mary Francis Theresa Dugas and Norman Dale Hamilton, Sr., Hemlock; wife Debralee; daughters: Lisa Marie (Bryce) Belill of Burt; Amy Marie (Jeff) Wood, of Saginaw; Jamie Rae Hamilton and significant other Kyle Belger; grandchildren: Felicity Rose Belill, Adaline Grace Belill, Nolan Bryce Belill, and Nash James Belger; in-laws: Timothy Lee Early, Rich and Laura Early and Alix Early; siblings: David (Sharlene) Hamilton of St. Charles, Richard (Patty) Hamilton of Saginaw, Norman (Mary) Hamilton, Jr., of St. Charles, and Jeannie (Rich Gerard) Hamilton of Bay City. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to help others, or pay a good deed forward in the name and memory of James Hamilton. Since Jim was never a flowery kind of guy if you do feel moved to send a plant please consider honoring his memory with a fruit tree that can be planted at his hunting property. For information, please contact Fischer Family Funeral Services, 989-755-8277. For online condolences, please visit www.fischerfuneral.com

James "Jim" R. Hamilton

September 12, 1963 - August 6, 2023