John Troxel Hamilton, former Dillon resident and BCHS Graduate of Class of ’71, passed on in Missoula, Montana, to a well-deserved rest on July 3, 2021. Staff at St. Patrick’s Hospital lovingly and professionally cared for John to the end.
John was born April 28, 1953 in Missoula. He was the son of Donald E. Hamilton and Betty L. Hamilton. John is preceded in death by his father. While living for a short time in Spokane, Washington, John was happily blessed with a little sister, Lisa, in 1957. When asked, the two curly-haired siblings, liked to have fun passing as twins in their high school and college years.
The Hamilton’s moved to Helena in 1959, then settled in Dillon for the remainder of John and Lisa’s childhood. John grew into a passionate outdoorsman and sports enthusiast, playing football for the Beavers, bicycling, and skiing at Maverick Mountain. Hunting, camping, fishing, and all things Grizzley, were favorite pastimes he shared with family and friends. He also loved to travel and thoroughly enjoyed so many national and international travels over the years. John’s quick wit, infectious laugh, often accompanied with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, will forever be remembered.
It was during his teens that John drew a moose tag and bagged a beauty. The mounted hide was one of his prized possessions. During his college years, another memorable event was a rigorous 1,400 mile roundtrip solo bicycle trip through Colorado. Those days, bicycles were considered a nuisance on the roads, but he successfully completed the journey, always ahead of what was popular for the times.
John had a life-long interest in history, especially military history. He could recall, in great detail, names, dates, battles, generals, and outcomes of American and European wars. He earned his first degree in History from Utah State in 1978 and a second degree in Anthropology / Archaeology from University of Montana in 1987. John began his career with the United States Forest Service in 1978. He retired from the USFS in 2008 from his position as Unit Archaeologist, after a thirty-year career.
In the late 1980’s John and Ginger were married, eventually settling in Stevensville, Montana, in a beautiful historic log home on four picturesque acres. They shared a similar career path in the USFS and a passion for archaeology, horses, and the outdoors. Eventually and sadly, John and Ginger’s years together ended. In 2008 John found happiness in his marriage to Robin, a Special Education Teacher. During his two marriages he enjoyed the two respective adult stepchildren and step-grandkids.
In recent years, when John wasn’t riding his horses or substitute teaching, he enjoyed golfing and travel with Robin. Although he had no children of his own, kids tickled him, especially his niece, Kelly, and nephew, Sean. He loved them dearly and was masterful at making them laugh.
John’s heart remained in his historic property outside of Stevensville. Horses, dogs and cats were a big part of John’s life from the time he was little. Physical challenges prompted the need for a change in lifestyle from rural to city life. It didn’t come easily, but when it was time to make a change, that he did and moved with Robin to Missoula.
John’s family, on both sides, homesteaded in Montana in the mid-1850s. Family history runs deep with the Hamilton/Troxel clan. The family roots have been traced to the Mayflower. John traced the Morrison family, on his mom, Betty Troxel Hamilton’s side, to Scotland and eventually to Patriots of the Revolutionary War. This paved the way for family member’s membership in Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution.
Those grieving John’s loss, while celebrating his life, are his mother, Betty L. Hamilton of Missoula, John’s sister, Lisa L. Hamilton of Portland, Oregon, John’s niece Kelly Flynn, St. Louis, Missouri, her husband Brendhan and three daughters, Cecily, Fiona, Hazel, and John’s nephew, Sean McGinley, along with Sean’s children, Michael and Lily, Portland, Oregon. John is also survived by his wife of twelve years, Robin Hamilton, who stood by his side during his difficult illness. The adult stepchildren of his two marriages and their shared stepgrandchildren are remembered in his legacy. Others we can’t overlook are cousin Mark Smith and his wife Bobbie, Sherwood, Oregon, their four children and seven grandchildren, cousin Clee Williams and her husband Charles of Polson, Montana, and their children and grands. Also, cousin Steven Mortenson, wife Shirley, their kids and grands of Lolo, Montana, as well as cousin Linda Smith of New York. A recently discovered dear Aunt Chris Treuer of Colorado, was added to the family tree through John’s dedicated family research. Also, so many childhood friends who were like family cannot be overlooked.
We invite all to gather in celebration of John T. Hamilton’s beautiful and colorful life on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at Christ the King Catholic Church at 10 a.m., Missoula. The brief service is followed by a light buffet lunch, and drinks at Bonner Park at noon.
In celebration of John’s Scottish heritage, gifted bagpiper, Rob Laing, will play at the park, as family and friends gather to share stories and provide John with a “proper sendoff.”
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