Max Elton Hamilton, age 91, of Knoxville, passed away at South High Senior Living on Saturday, November 1, 2025. Max enlisted in the US Navy in 1953 and served as a Seabee. Upon completion of his service, he attended the University of Tennessee, graduating in 1961 with a major in accounting. He began his accounting career with the Internal Revenue Service as a revenue agent. Max became a certified public accountant in 1965 and was one of the first 2,000 CPAs to be licensed in Tennessee. In 1966, he entered public accounting with Severance and Sharp where he quickly became a partner. In 1981, he formed Hamilton, Gilbert and Perry, which continues as Hamilton, Miller and Associates. Max grew up on a farm in McMinn County, Tennessee and tended vegetable gardens throughout his life. He loved sharing the bounty of his efforts, with many friends and neighbors enjoying tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and green beans from his gardens. Max was an avid golfer and made many friends over the years at Green Meadows Country Club and many other golf courses in the Knoxville area. He also loved to teach. Whether it was applying accounting principles to work or geometry to a home construction project, he always challenged his pupils to learn both the how and why he did things. He was recently preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Wanda. He was also preceded in death by his parents, John Daley Hamilton and Mary Higgins Hamilton; brothers, Gilbert, Wilbur Elroy, Carlos, Forrest, and Charles; and sisters, Bess, Clara, Hazel, and Nona. He is survived by daughters, Stephanie and Jennifer; son, Marshall; daughter-in-law, Myra; grandchildren, Sofia, Amelia, and Calvin; special friend, Randy Holbert; and many nephews and nieces. Max’s family expresses sincere gratitude for the care provided by Misty Daniels, Sabery Oakes, and Amelia Hamilton, as well as Jenna with Amedisys Home Health Services and the team at South High Senior Living.
Family and friends will gather at East Tennessee State Veteran’s Cemetery, 2200 E Governor John Sevier Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37920 for a graveside service to recognize Max’s service to his country on Wednesday, November 19th, at 2:00 PM, with Rev. Nancy Twigg to officiate.
A celebration of life will be held in honor of Max at Rothchild’s Event Center, 8807 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37923, on Saturday, December 13th, 2025, at 1:00 PM. If you have a good “Max” story, please share it with the family. They would like to share his stories at his celebration of life. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Max’s honor to Alzheimer’s Tennessee, 5801 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919, or the charity of your choice. Online condolences and fond memories may be shared with the Hamilton family at www.berryfuneralhome.com
