Harold James Hamilton

HAROLD JAMES HAMILTON, died Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013 after a short illness at the age of 89. He was born on Feb. 9, 1924 in Sidney, Ohio to the late Mildred Jones and Wayne Hamilton. He grew up near Toledo, Ohio and graduated from Holland High School in 1941. After high school, he enlisted in the US Navy and served in the US Navy Medical Corps as a Pharmacist's Mate during World War II. Initially, he served with the 2nd Marine Division and participated in the Battles of Tarawa and Saipan. He was Purple Heart recipient from wounds sustained at Saipan. After Saipan he was transferred to the US Navy and served the rest of the war on an LSI infantry landing ship, of which one of its missions was landing Australian troops on Borneo. After World War II, he earned a degree in Pharmacy at Toledo University and relocated to Little Rock in 1955 where he was employed as a pharmacist at UAMS and later at the Arkansas State Hospital. In 1966, he was hired by Arkansas Children's Hospital as their first full time pharmacist and was instrumental in establishing the Pharmacy Department at ACH. After retiring from ACH in 1988 he worked as a volunteer with the State House Museum and also with the Arkansas Archeological Society where he assisted with several "digs" throughout the State. Along with his late wife, Jane Hamilton, he enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, England, Scotland, France, Italy, Finland, Australia, and New Zealand. He supported AETN, the Arkansas Symphony and the Arkansas Arts Center. He was also a fan of the Razorbacks and the Saint Louis Cardinals. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife. He is survived by his sons: Jim Hamilton of Little Rock, Jeff Hamilton (Sarah) of Louisville, Ky., Doug Hamilton (Paloma) of Stillwater, Okla., and his grandchildren, Mary and Noah Hamilton, both of Louisville, Ky. He is also survived by his two sisters Lura Pugliese of Clawson, Mich. and Audrey Stuart of Saint Simon's Island, Ga., and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at Presbyterian Village , 501 Brookside Drive, Little Rock on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. The family would like extend its thanks to the medical team at UAMS for their care of our father during his last days and the staff at Presbyterian Village for their care and support during his and our mother's retirement years. Memorials can be made to Presbyterian Village. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.