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The Rev. John G. Hamilton, 79, died Oct. 5, 2010, from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. The Rev. Jarrett T. Wicklein officiated at a funeral service Oct. 7, at College Park UMC.

Hamilton served in the Navy from 1952-56, where he was part of the crews constructing the Alaska pipe line. When he returned to civilian life, he worked for the Bell Telephone Company.

He and Lois Morrow married in 1954 and had two children.

He heard his call to ministry during a laity retreat in western Pennsylvania and attended Waynesburg College with a major in history. While in college, he was assigned to the three-point Nineveh Circuit.

In 1967, in the Baltimore Conference, while attending Wesley Theological Seminary, he served Central UMC in Cumberland. In 1969, he was appointed to First UMC in Brunswick for eight years. He was ordained an Elder in 1970. For six years, from 1976, he served Bethany UMC in Ellicott City. From 1982 to 1991, he served the congregation at College Park UMC from 1982 to 1991, and was then appointed to Liberty Grove in Burtonsville, from which he retired in 1994.

During retirement, he served as visitation minister at Lovely Lane UMC in Baltimore. He was also a voluntary chaplain at Howard County Hospital, and was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels in the Columbia area. He was a member of the Hyattsville Lions Club. Hamilton was a sports enthusiast, always cheering for his home state Steelers, and supporting the University of Maryland teams.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Lois Morrow Hamilton, a son, David Hamilton of Reisterstown, daughter, Kathi Hamilton of Elkridge, and three grandchildren. His goddaughter, Sarah Wicklein Bowman of Old Lyme, Vt., also survives.

Condolences may be sent to Lois Hamilton, 5925 Abrianna Way #3, Elkridge, MD 21075.