John Matthew Hamilton

John Matthew Hamilton, 64, was called to be with the Lord on Monday, July 11, 2011. Visitation will be on Sunday, July 17, 2011, from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. in the atrium of First Baptist Church in Bryan. A memorial service honoring John’s life will follow at 3:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary, with the Reverend Bill Van Winkle, former pastor of Fellowship Free Will Baptist Church, officiating.

A graduate of Stephen F. Austin High School in Bryan and of Texas A&M University, John was a highly respected, independent real estate appraiser and consultant in Bryan. He had been actively engaged in the real estate profession since 1974, working across Texas and the Southeast. John was a member of Fellowship Free Will Baptist Church in Bryan.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Morris and Madell Hamilton, and his brother, Morris “Buzz” Hamilton.

John is survived by his two sons and their families, Hugh and Kristin Hamilton and their twins, John Matthew II (Jack) and Emma Jane, of Houston, and Scott and Carli Hamilton and their daughters, Alice Maydell and Violet June, of Mill Valley, California. John was proud of the men his sons have become and of their accomplishments – not only in their careers but also as husbands and fathers.

John is also survived by his two sisters, Margo Havel of Bryan and Connie Kirtley of Lancaster, Texas; his sister-in-law, Kay Hamilton; and their families.

Also surviving John is Kay Perrone, whom he loved and was loved by for the past 25 years; he endearingly called Kay his “Little General.” As his illness progressed, Karen “The Dada” Forman helped John with his daily needs, and she brought a healthy dose of levity to his life. John valued the gentleness of his devoted assistant, Chloe Turner, who was invaluable to his ability to continue working.

John loved few things more than fishing the Texas Coast or dove hunting the Brazos Bottom, but it was the surrounding camaraderie of those activities with friends and family that meant the most to him. A voracious reader, he loved literature and the grace of the written word. He missed few, if any, Texas Aggie football games.

The family is grateful to the team of doctors from the Department of Neurology and the nursing staff of Jones 10 with the Methodist Hospital in Houston for providing outstanding care for John, along with comfort, peace, and support.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests and appreciates donations to Twin City Mission or Shelter the Homeless International Projects (SHIP), two organizations where John served passionately on their boards and helped to carry out their missions: Twin City Mission, P.O. Box 3490, Bryan, TX 77805 or www.twincitymission.org; or SHIP, P.O. Box 3003, Bryan, TX 77805.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

2 Timothy 4:7-8