Johnny Hamilton

Johnny Ray Hamilton was the 5th child of Jasper and Bertha Hamilton.  He was born in Ruston Louisiana, October 16th 1942.  He later accepted Christ at an early age, at St. Peter Baptist church. Due to poor health, he was happy to be moving to California. His family accepted him in death: Parents Bertha and Jasper Hamilton. Wife Lydia Hamilton. Brothers, William, Robert Earl, Charles and Clarence Hamilton. His nephew Rev Henry Hamilton who loved him very much. Johnny Ray leaves to cherish his life: Daughter Jackie Hamilton. Sons Theodis, Johnny Ray Jr, Nananabl, Leonel Ray, Jacob (Virginia) Jason, and Justin Garmet of Washington. Sisters Betty (Sam) Caldwell and Jessie Crosby of Oakland  Ca. Nellie Reed of Vacaville, Ca and Mattie (David) West. of Ruston La and Brother Billy Ray Hamilton of Monroe La. And a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends. Acknowledgments The family of late Johnny Ray Hamilton would like to thank each and every one of you for your acts of kindness and concern shown during the illness and homegoing of our loved one. Messages from the family Johnny Ray you were a wonderful and loving brother. you would always call me and ask me what you doing, your favorite words 'what you doing' (LOL). I will miss hearing those words. I will miss your laughter and your jokes. you would always tell me what you were cooking. You knew everything that was going on in Ruston, now that you are gone we will no longer get the news. Johnny we love you, No More aches and pains ,but God loved you more. you can rest now hoping to see you again you will be truly missed.                            Your sister,  Jessie Crosby &family As you sled thru life with a smile To enlighten our day for a little while; and make a love deposit in a Johhny Ray style. You provided enough good memories for all to pick from the pile, even when there was no number to dial. Dear brother, uncle, Dad, and friend we will meet and rejoice in the end! Love your baby Sister. To our dearest brother. Johnny Ray you have always been there for me, and I was there for you. Whenever I called you were always there. Thank you for taking care of our mother and coming to to help me In California. I was waiting for you to come  live with me ,but you never got the chance. Rest in peace Love your sister Betty Caldwell I love you, goodbye. One day I will see you again Love your sister Mattie West I thank the Lord for you being in my life. Rest in peace until I see you again Love Billy Ray Hamilton Thank you for being in my life! I know you love me and thank you for everything you did for me. Love you. Donald Hamilton Thank you for being in my life. I will miss you for your kindness Love Leonard Hamilton A Decent Dad By Jacob J. Gamet Wednesday, July 7, 2021 At 11:30p.m. last night, my stepdad Johnny Ray Hamilton succumbed to a serious health complication. His doctors warned that his departure would come soon, so family should say their good-byes. In a way, I've been saying my good-byes to my dad through weekly phone calls. But he never let me dwell on the issue of his health. He'd just say "Don't worry, I'm strong. I'll be out of the hospital soon." And I believed him because he was right most of the time. True to his word, he fought through his previous medical challenges, no matter how painful they were. But not this time, unfortunately. [My heart is as overcast as the Monroe skies.] I'll miss our conversations about sports, LeBron, and him always telling me, "Son, when you get out, I'll be here. And you won't have to worry about anything. I'll help you." Those who knew him know that this is who he was. Although he had his flaws, he was a decent person to others. He looked after family and anyone off the street. I remember having BBQ's in the park as a kid, and he'd invite strangers and neighbors to have some food. But as a little kid, I didn't understand why he fed people we didn't even know. I learned as I got older that it was his Louisiana upbringing that taught him to share what he had with others. He said he grew up in the kitchen with his mom, and that's where he learned to cook. I'm talking about southern food like hot water cornbread, meatloaf, chitterlings, pig's feet, fried okra, fried chicken that rivaled the Kernel's of KFC, and banana cream pie. Everyone loved his cooking! He raised me since I was about 6 months old. And boy, he taught my brothers and I what a good ole down South whooping was, where we got to to choose our own poison in terms of picking our own switch off the tree. Lol. He made sure we had what we needed, whether it was bikes, school clothes, or Sunday school suits. And as far as I could tell, he loved us all equally. And when he and my mom separated, he would come back around and stay with us sometimes. He'd leave out of state and always come back. It's what he did now. He came back to live with us, and step right back into his dad role without missing a beat. He's visited me several times in prison, put money on my books, bought me care packages (food and clothing), prescription glasses, and whatever I needed. He's a phenomenal dad, and I'll miss him dearly. I have to fight back tears as I write this about the man who I looked up to and learned what it was to be a decent person to others. And it was only last May that he lost his son (and my brother), Nambi. One prime example of how decent of a man he was is when he forgave my mother's infidelity and raised my youngest brother, Lionel ("Papas"), who has a different dad. He even gave Papas his middle name (Ray). And even though Papas didn't have darker skin like his other kids, he adored Papas like his prized possession. To me, Johnny Ray is the epitome of a decent dad. And it was Papas and my mom who were at his side hours before he passed, praying that God receive his soul. This gives me peace of mind. He also charged me with making sure that if anything happened to him, to make sure my brother "John John" (he has a mental condition) is looked after. Of course I'll keep my word. One of the first things I plan to do when I get out is go visit my dad at his anticipated gravesite in Wapato. This is the Johnny Ray I knew, my dad. He's off to a much better place To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Johnny Hamilton, please visit our flower store.