Rodney L. Hamilton

SENECA, SC - Rodney Lee Hamilton, 80, passed away peacefully in his sleep Friday May 21 after a brief illness. Rod (please don’t call me Rodney) was born in Covington Kentucky on November 14, 1940 to the late Edwin L. Hamilton and Mayce Underhill Hamilton. He is survived by Sharon, his wife of 38 years, three daughters - Kristi (Jon) Nykamp of Mekelle, Ethiopia, Amy (Paul) Caimano of Chapin, SC, and Carey Hamilton of Salt Lake City, UT. He was also blessed with 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren who affectionately called him Grandpa Hamo. In addition to his parents, Rod was preceded in death by his brother Jack Hamilton and his sister Mayce Buckner. After graduating from the University of Kentucky, where Rod was a proud member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, career moves took him to Louisville, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Deep Creek Lake Maryland. He spent 20 years at Sears, working his way up to a senior management position. From there he was recruited to a top position at Montgomery Ward and later became Vice President of GNC. In 1988 he left the corporate world and started his own business, where he partnered with his wife Sharon in various endeavors. Rod worked hard and played hard. He always managed to find a lake home wherever he lived which was always open to friends and family. There was seldom a weekend when there wasn’t a houseful of guests. Those times created the best memories of his life. In 2005 he retired to Lake Keowee, loving the warm climate and vowing never to go north of the Mason Dixon line again. All are welcome to join us on Friday August 27, 2021 at 10:30 AM. for a memorial service followed by celebration of life including lunch and open bar. It will be held at The Biggerstaff Retreat Center on the shores of Lake Keowee, 398 Biggerstaff Road, Seneca, SC 29672. Family and friends will raise a toast to Rod and reminisce about his life. On Saturday August 28 his family will gather at the Ramsey Creek Preserve where his cremains will be interred. For more details or to rsvp for lunch, you may contact Sharon Hamilton, sharonhamilton55@bellsouth.net In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Habitat for Humanity, Fox’s Nest No Kill shelter ttp://arfsc.homestead.com, or the charity of your choice.

Rodney L. Hamilton

November 14, 1940 - May 21, 2021