Terry Lee Hamelton

It is with contrite spirit and a broken heart, that the family of Terry Lee Hamelton, Sr. announces his passing on Friday, December 28, 2018. He will be sadly missed and warmly remembered by all that knew him. He was preceded in death by his mom, Viva and father, Floyd Hamelton. A graveside service with military rites will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at the Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk, IA with Reverend Jeff Bixby officiating. Terry Hamelton, Sr. was born on November 24, 1947 in Keokuk, IA, where he resided until moving to Arizona in 1990. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from December 10, 1968 to December 9, 1974. While in there, he served as gunner, crew chief and pilot of the Apache Helicopter, where he earned several medals including two purple hearts. Terry served many jobs in his lifetime to support his family. The two he enjoyed and talked about was his time at Griffin Wheel in Keokuk and his five year job as a bus driver for Mesa and Apache Junction, AZ, which he could tell many stories of his adventures. Terry could tell many of his adventures of his military life and of course his many jobs adventures. Everyone he knew loved to hear about his various adventures. He'll be remembered as being a man of integrity, compassion, great humor and his selflessness. He is survived by his wife, Pamela Hamelton of AZ, nine children, Denise Hamelton, Cindy Boddecker, Michael Kopsicker, Terry Hamelton, Jr., Jerry Hamelton, Elizabeth Davis, John Hamelton, Michelle Brown, and Christine Strode, along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, three brothers and two sisters. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Keokuk National Cemetery for the upkeep for our many brave soldiers who served and gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.