James “Keith” Hamilton was born on a small farm on the edge of Grainger County by the Holston River, in Mascot, Tennessee, to Tilmon Lafayette “TL” Hamilton, Jr and Virginia “Ruth” Hamilton (Turner) on March 20, 1943. He passed peacefully after a short illness, on September 6, 2022. Keith met Thelma McCoy as a junior at Carter High School. He turned her eye as a strapping 130 pound starting defensive end on the 1959 undefeated football team. Keith proposed with a ring on Thelma’s graduation in the spring of 1962. They were married on September 20, 1962, enjoying the next 60 years together. Keith worked 35+ years for Rohm & Hass, a specialty chemical manufacturer in Knoxville. He retired to the family farm, where he lived his entire life, in 2005.
Keith is survived by his high school sweetheart, Thelma M. Hamilton, and their children, James (Beth) Hamilton and Rob (Lora) Hamilton. He has his sister Wilma (Gene) Russell and his brother Terry (Rebecca) Hamilton. He has 7 grandchildren, Amanda Jackson, David Taylor, Zach Hamilton, Brandon (Blake) Hamilton, Mackenzie (Wes) Rhode, Abbey Hamilton and Ryan Hamilton. He has 4 great grandchildren, Riley and Sydney Jackson, Lilah and Ada Hamilton. Several nieces and nephews. He loved greatly and will be missed as a positive influence on those he encountered. There will be a celebration of his life with family and friends at Bridges Funeral Home on Thursday, September 8 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Arrangements by Bridges Funeral Home, 5430 Rutledge Pike, 865-523-4999. www.bridgesfuneralhome.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of James Keith Hamilton March 20 1962 September 6 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Knoxville, Province: T-N