"Coach" Tom Hamilton, age 66, passed away suddenly in the afternoon of Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at his home in Sandy, Utah. Tom was born on November 23, 1946, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was the eldest child of James Monroe and Mary Shirley Conners Hamilton. Tom was preceded in death by his father, mother and sister, Blanche Alice.
Tom grew up in La Puente, California and graduated from La Puente High School in 1964. He was an active member of his swim team and water polo clubs all throughout his high school career. It was a cherished memory that his water polo team was invited to participate at the 1964 Olympic Trials for the selection of the United States Team, where these 17-and 18-year old young men finished in third place. Following high school graduation, Tom began his college career by attending Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California for one year before enlisting into the Air Force, serving September, 1965 - January, 1969. Tom served almost two years at Pleiku Airbase in Vietnam and returned home safely in 1968. Upon returning from Vietnam he served one year at NORAD at Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Tom remained in the Air Force Reserves until 1991.
Tom married Priscilla Lynn Hendley on August 23, 1969 in Southern Califonia. Tom continued his education after marrying Priscilla, taking them to the University of Montana, Missoula. In June of 1976, Tom graduated with Bachelors of Arts degrees in Botany and Zoology. One of the highlights of Tom's studies in Montana was a four-year study of the migratory and breeding habits of Canada Geese on Flathead Lake. Throughout his time in Montana, Tom worked at the United States Post Office as well. While in Montana, Tom and Priscilla were also converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple, on November 28, 1975. In 1976, the Hamilton family moved to Pocatello, Idaho for work. In 1984, Tom became the Post Master of the Delta, Utah Post Office. While living in Delta for the next 20 years, Tom developed age-group swimming and water polo programs. He was also the head coach of the Delta High School Swimming and Water Polo Team. He loved all of his swim team kids and talked about then fondly through the years.
In 2006, Tom and Priscilla sold their home in Delta, Utah and moved to Salt Lake City to be with their children and grandchildren. Tom retired from the U.S. Postal Service with 30 years of dedicated service, and was currently working for Salt Lake County Aging Services. Tom had a love of collecting rare stamps, coins and anything to do with swimming/water polo. He was actively involved with his children and grandchildren. Tom was also very involved with his church and held many different callings as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He held the offices of Elder, Seventy and High Priest. His favorite calling was the five years he and Priscilla served in the nursery of the Delta 6th Ward where the kids all called him "coach."
Tom was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was our glue and our rock and will be greatly missed. Tom is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Priscilla. Together they have 5 children: Shawn, Kelly (Art) Jasso, Ethan (Tia) Hamilton, Brian (Lisa) Hamilton and Steven (Kory) Hamilton. He is also survived by 7 beautiful granddaughters, Madison (16), KayDee (15), Chelsea (13), Alexis (12), Whitney (6), Breann (4), Zoe (7 weeks) and 1 granddoggy - Danish.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 4, at 11 am, in the Delta Utah Stake Center Chapel, 125 South White Sage Avenue. Viewing will be held Monday morning at the church, 9:30-10:40 am. Burial in the Delta City Cemetery.
