Gary Lynn Hamilton

On Thursday, October 17, 2024, Gary peacefully passed from this life, embraced by the love of his life and in the presence of family. His memory lives in the hearts of those who knew him, as a devoted husband, a loving father, caring nurse and a compassionate soul whose impact reached far and wide.

Born on May 10, 1957, in Lubbock, Texas, to Wilton Ray and Joyce Hamilton, Gary lived a life full of love and dedication to others. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Sandra Hamilton, whom he married on April 29, 1978, at First Christian Church in Lubbock. Together, they shared a beautiful life with their daughter, Andrea Hamilton. Though they tragically lost their son, Garrett Hamilton, as an infant, Gary’s strength and compassion never wavered.

Gary is survived by his siblings and their spouses, Pat Reeves, Mark and Lynn Hamilton and in-laws Randy and Shari Cox, Jeff and Juanita Cox. As well as nieces and nephews, Shawn, Kyle, Brent, Eric, Jordan, Kelli, Joshua and Courtney. Gary joins in heaven his son Garrett, his parents Willie and Jo, brother in-law Roger, nephew Austin and the King of kings.

Its hard to sum up such a great life but we will hit the highlights.

Growing up Gary enjoyed playing baseball and football and ran hurdles for Coronado High School. Gary was easy going and fun to be around. He loved to listen to Elvis and country and western music and loved to watch the Rifleman and Wagon train. Graduating in 1975 Gary went to Texas Tech to study architecture. Realizing that might not be the path for him, he went to work for his dad. Gary valued family and the time spent with them. Gary was easy going and fun to be around.

Gary and Sandy met through mutual friends, the Drapers. Their first date was on a Wednesday, they went to see Smokey and the Bandit and to eat at Grand Central Station where the conversation was as if they had known each other for years. The next day, Thursday, Gary called to ask Sandy out for Friday, where they went to dinner with the Drapers. They went on another date, Saturday and then Sunday, Sandy went to lunch to meet the family. Where his brother in-law Roger said, “That is the girl he will marry.” They didn’t miss a day seeing each other after that until Gary went hunting. In two weeks, they were talking about marriage and at four weeks they were engaged. Less than a year later they were married and celebrated their 46th wedding Anniversary this past April of 2024. Gary and Sandy would sign their letters to each other MTYLTT – More Than Yesterday Less Than Tomorrow.

In 1982 Gary and Sandy welcomed their daughter, Andrea. From the beginning Andrea had Gary wrapped around his little finger. Andrea was and still is daddy’s girl. Over the years Gary and Andrea would develop a friendship not just father to daughter but friend to friend. Even working together for 10 years at Covenant their friendship grew. They would even leave notes on each other’s vehicles after work with encouraging words. Gary always encouraged Andrea to reach for exactly what she wanted. Even when Andrea decided to move to San Diego, California, though not happy about it, Gary loved and supported her to go where the Lord was leading. Andrea’s love for her dad brought her back home and she committed to being there for him in his greatest time of need. They shared a deep bond that can only be between a father and daughter.

Gary was in plumbing as soon as he could pick up a hammer, working for his father after school and then full time for many years. Obtaining a Master Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning license. At the age of 33, Gary decided to change careers and go to nursing school. He felt called to nursing after experiencing the care of nurses during the loss of his son Garett. Gary served 32 years at Covenant Health System. Sandy said that nursing really fulfilled Gary as a person. He felt he was fulfilling the calling on his life. All 32 years were spent on the Nephrology Unit. His love for his staff and the patients he showed every day came from a place of love of person and care for the human soul. He desired to show Jesus to those who crossed his path. He loved nursing because of the care that could not only be shown to the patient but also the family. He knew that he had purpose in what he did. Gary desired to help nurses see that as care givers you were there not just to provide medical care but to provide a human touch beyond medicine. Gary loved to teach the new generation of nurses every chance he got. Even in his last days in the hospital he was teaching and caring for the nurses that were giving him care. Gary would get so excited when a nurse finally found their “Why Behind the What.” Gary retired from Covenant in March of 2024 and missed his part in healing ministry every day.

Gary loved to be out in nature and marveled at the beauty of God’s creation every time he was in it. Every year Gary looked forward to the Boys Labor Day trip to Red River with all of his nephews and his brother. He loved to go deer hunting not just to find a deer but for the fellowship that it gave him with the Lord. He would always say that he loved to just sit in nature and enjoy the beauty in God’s creation.

Gary was always the hardest worker and toughest person in the room. Whether he was outside working on the yard or on the house or at the hospital on a project he worked until the job was completely done. He could slice a finger and not flinch or have a fiber glass tub slice through his arm and calmly tell his brother he needed stiches. In 2018 Gary admitted himself to rehab for alcoholism. There were a lot of people who were surprised to find out. At first, he said he didn’t know why he was there because those around him had stories that seemed worse than his. But realized the day after admitting himself, that it was by the grace of God that he got there before anything irreparable had occurred. He committed himself to permanent recovery and strengthening his relationship with the Lord. On October 5, 2024, he celebrated 6 years sober.

Gary had the biggest servant’s heart to. Always giving, always helping, always sharing Jesus with others. Gary was always searching for how to get closer to the Lord. He had a peacemaker’s spirit and was a very gentle guy. He was a great example of unconditional love. Even in the last week of his life, amid some of his worst pain, he had a deep concern for relationships around him to find forgiveness and to be healed.

In 2013 Gary was diagnosed with Prostate cancer. After completing surgery and radiation the cancer was in remission. In late 2022 the cancer had returned. Throughout 2023 and 2024 he fought hard through 3 rounds of Chemo, medical complications, and additional radiation treatments. His cancer was very aggressive and would not give in to treatment. In the last couple of months pain was the biggest hurdle he faced. He fought long and hard, but he is now at peace and pain free. His life is more than cancer. It is the memories that we all carry and the love he shared. May we all, when thinking about Gary, remember his compassion, his love and all the wonderful things that made him who he was.

To all of those involved in his care and treatment he would want you to know how thankful he was for you. Thank you.

To the staff at Covenant – thank you for the many years of serving alongside him and the impact you had on his life will never be forgotten. Thank you.

To friends old and new – thank you for your love and support.

To his family, he loved you all very much!!!!Thank you for always loving and supporting Gary.

God does not promise all skies to be fair, but he does promise to always be there. Gary was someone who knew that well. He faced challenges like everyone else, because it is life. But he had a good life.

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