John Ray Hamilton
Richmond

John Ray Hamilton, 77, of North Third Street, Richmond, died Sunday, September 26, 2004, at the St. Joseph Hospice Care Center in Lexington.

A native of London, Ky., he was the son of the late John D. and Mary Johnson Hamilton. He was a retired heavy equipment operator for McCord and Todd, a Navy veteran of the Korean War, serving in Norfolk, Va., and in Alaska, and a member of the Pentecostal Holiness faith.

He is survived by his wife, Ruby Richardson Hamilton of Richmond, two daughters, Linda Hamilton Howell of Richmond and Shelia (Michael) Manely, of Marietta, Ga.; one son, Eric Shawn Hamilton of Danville, Ky.; three granddaughters, Christina Coots, Jennifer (Gary) Donahue and Isabelle Hamilton; three grandsons, Billy King, Benjamin Manely and Shawn Thomas Hamilton; two stepgrandsons, Scott King and Matthew Manely; one great-granddaughter, Emily Donahue; two great-grandsons, Aaron Coots and Matthew Donahue; two sisters, Sophie Ballinger of Richmond, Ky., and Gladys Pence of Richmond, Ind.; several nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and many friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, one brother and two half brothers.

Pallbearers are David Woosley, Randy Hensley, Melvin Ballinger, Edward Lathery, Larry Gray, Tim Black and Mark Richardson. His nephews will serve as honorary bearers.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 29, 2004, at Oldham, Roberts & Powell Funeral Home with Sidney Sparks and Paul Arvin officiating. Burial will follow at the Richmond Cemetery, where military honors will be observed by representatives of the U.S. Navy. Friends will be received from 5 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.