Tom Martin Hamilton Jr.

Tom Martin Hamilton, Jr., 81, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2025, in Houston, Texas. Born on July 15, 1944, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Tom lived a life marked by service, leadership, humor, and unwavering devotion to his family and community. He was a patriot, believing that the United States was the best place on earth and holding deep respect for our men and women in uniform, defending our freedoms. He always stopped to thank members of the military for their service.

Tom dedicated over three decades to the security industry, where he earned the prestigious designation of Certified Protection Professional (CPP) through ASIS International. His career spanned numerous leadership roles, most notably as Vice President of Operations, Sales Vice President, and Vice President of National Accounts at Borg-Warner Protective Services, Inc., where he worked for 18 years. His oversight included high-profile clients such as 20th Century Fox, Motorola, Intel, and ExxonMobil. Later in his career, Tom founded Hamilton Consulting Services, a management consulting firm specializing in security consulting.

A committed member of ASIS International for over 25 years, Tom served as the Texas Regional Assistant Vice President and chaired the Houston Chapter for two years. His leadership extended to organizing the Houston Chapter Golf Tournament, which raised record-breaking funds for the chapter’s scholarship program. Among his proudest contributions was founding the Teddy Bears for Children program—an initiative that brought comfort and joy to children at Texas Children's Hospital, Methodist Hospital, and Memorial Southwest Hospital during the holidays.

Tom’s dedication to public safety extended beyond his core professional life. He served four years as a Deputy Sheriff with the Gaston County Sheriff's Department in North Carolina and was a Certified Auditor for the National Association for Information Destruction. He also contributed his expertise as a member of the State Advisory Board for the Lone Star Law Enforcement Training Academy at Lone Star College and the Board of Advisors for the Houston Office of Homeland Security. As an NRA Certified Instructor in multiple disciplines—including Home Firearm Safety, Rifle and Shotgun instruction, and Personal Protection—Tom was committed to responsible firearm education. His insights were internationally published in several law enforcement and security publications.

Community service was central to Tom’s life. He was an active member of the Charlotte, NC Civitan Club, Toastmasters International, and served as President of his neighborhood HOA for over two decades. His belief in civic duty was matched by his deep faith. Raised in a religious household, Tom remained a devoted believer throughout his life. He found great joy in Gospel music and praising God with his beautiful singing voice.

Tom's enduring passion was playing golf. At one time a scratch golfer, he held a respectable handicap for all the years he played. Every year, he looked forward to playing the Member-Guest Tournament with Bob Northcutt as his partner. Twenty years they played and showed the youngsters how it is done. A founding member of Falcon Point Country Club for over 35 years, he served on its Board of Governors for several years, including two years as Chairman. After retirement, he discovered a new passion: painting. What began as a hobby blossomed into an award-winning pursuit that reflected his creative spirit.

Throughout his life, Tom embraced a wide range of interests—he overcame his fear of flying by becoming a licensed pilot and he loved flying over his parents house, tipping the wings to say hello. He was an avid fly-fisherman, competing with Valri for size and quantity of the catch. Really, he liked fishing of any kind, from the beach, pier, boat, shallow or deep sea. If there was water around, he wanted to drop a line. He also loved traveling, hiking, league bowling, baking, cooking, gardening, and waited every season for the hummingbirds to arrive, making sure they had plenty of nectar to fuel their brief stay. Tom was also the proud midwife to 20 pair of dove babies that were born in the same nest perched atop a outdoor mounted speaker on his porch, season after season. He loved to share his passions with others; fishing with a son-in-law, grandson, or friends; making fudge with Linda; taking baked goods to the medical staff that cared for him over the years; if he loved something, he wanted to share those good vibes with people he loved.

A movie buff with a diehard bro-mance for John Wayne Westerns (and every other Western) and a soft spot for romantic comedies, before streaming was "thing" Tom was proud of his collection of over 300 movies in all genres. He loved to read and always had one book going with one waiting to be started. Tom also loved music- played the bugle in high school and was a self-taught organist. The old Hammond will miss his deft fingers.

Above all else, Tom cherished his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 34 very good years, Valri Hamilton; daughters Tammy Hamilton; Misti Thomas (husband Terrell); Christi Lester (husband Mike); granddaughters Teran Armstrong and Tiffany Russell; grandsons Tai Thomas and Brandon Lester; four great grandchildren; nephews Scott Hamilton and Todd Hamilton; brother and sister -in-law, Al and Lisa Balkanli; niece Sara Balkanli Watkins (husband Carl); and close cousins Bob and Harriette Hamrick.

He was preceded in death by his parents Tom Hamilton and Macie Hamilton; brother Randy Hamilton; mother-in-law, Annabelle Bland; and dear friends Bob and Debbie Northcutt—his “brother and sister from another mother.”

Tom’s love extended beyond people to include a beloved group of pets who were the "kids" after the nest was empty: Stars of the Neighborhood--The Doodles, Snickers and Dooley; foster dog Smokey; Peanut; Cooper; Happy—his bonded rescue—and feline companions Princess, Miss Kitty, and Scootch who won him over with their affection. Tom had an affinity for animals, rescuing birds and one very loved squirrel, Scooter; as well as many cherished pets throughout his life, including Bourbon, Duchess, Sassy, McTavish, and his pride and joy, award-winning gaited show horse, Atlas.

A devoted caregiver to his mother-in-law, Annabelle, during her final years living with him and Valri, Tom shared with her a deep bond rooted in mutual love and respect topped off with a shared love for books, family, and music. He made coffee and breakfast for her daily and they had some lively and some quiet conversations every morning. He made possible some of the best years of her life.

Tom lived large on many roads less traveled. His life is proof that there is no mountain that cannot be climbed. His absence brings a deafening silence to the lives of those who knew and loved him. May the stories he told of family lore and youthful antics continue to entertain for generations to come and his memory forever be a blessing to his friends and family.

Tom was cared for by an amazing team of medical professionals over the last several years and his family wants to thank Dr. Ron Soeffer, Dr. Janice Koshy, Dr. Avenash Narine, Dr. Pravant Koshy, Dr. Adil Ali, Dr. George Mammen, Dr. Charles Ray, Dr. Amy Riedel, Dr. Aaron Lin and their teams. We also want to give special thanks to the compassionate care given by Tom's home health team at Delco (thank you, Lilly) and his wound care nurses, Arnold and Kayla, both of whom became members of our family.

A Funeral Service will be held on November 3, 2025, from 4:00 - 5:00 PM at Katy Funeral Home 23350 Kingsland Blvd., Katy, TX 77494.

The service is preceded by Visitation from 3:00 - 3:45 PM and followed by a reception from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, both at Katy Funeral Home.