Lawrence Houston Hamilton

ARLINGTON -- Our precious husband, father, brother, Pappaw and faithful servant, Lawrence Houston Hamilton Jr., passed away on Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012, with his loving wife and son at his side. Celebration of life: 10 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church, 300 S. Center St., Arlington. Visitation: The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Wade Family Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington. Memorials: Memorial gifts may be made to First Baptist Church Children's Camp Scholarships or Mission Arlington. Lawrence was born to Lawrence and Norene Hamilton on Feb. 20, 1928, at his grandparents' boarding house located above their cafe in Shawnee, Okla. Lawrence grew up in Wichita Falls, graduating from Wichita Falls High School in 1945, followed by two years in the United States Navy. After the Navy, he moved to Dallas and began his career, working first for Western Electric, followed by 42 years of service with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. In September 1948, Lawrence married Betty Jane Swaim and in 1952 they moved to Arlington. Lawrence was a follower of Jesus Christ and devoted his life to serving God, and providing for and caring for his family. He was a faithful deacon for over 50 years, most of which was at First Baptist Church in Arlington. He served in many capacities but his passion was teaching second-grade children and being a camp counselor for over 20 years. Lawrence had a quick wit, was ever the prankster, and loved his family beyond measure. After retirement, he and Betty Jane took their grandchildren on many fun and exciting trips, most of them camping. The family would like to thank the kind and caring people of Community Hospice for helping make the end of his life comfortable and peaceful. Survivors: His wife of 63 years, Betty Jane; sister, Virginia Clayton; daughter, Donna McCormick and husband, Ken, of Longview; son, Lawrence III and wife, Jeanne, of Arlington; grandchildren, Aaron Hamilton and wife, Tiffany, of Fort Worth, Adam Hamilton and wife, Wendy, of Virginia Beach, Va., Patrick McCormick of Longview and Laura Fitzwater and husband, Dale, of Arlington; great-grandchildren, Julianna, Hannah, Connor, Joshua, Benjamin and two precious angels due in September; and cousins, nieces, nephews and friends too numerous to count. Wade Family Funeral Home Arlington, 817-274-9233