Memorial services for Douglas Hamilton, 86, of Portales will be held at a later time in California.
Douglas Dean Hamilton was born Oct. 25, 1934 in Denver, CO to the home of Wilma May (Netz) and Harold Aaron Hamilton and died at his home in Portales on the evening of May 21, 2021. Mr. Hamilton grew up in Eureka, CA. For several years he was a professional bronc rider on the rodeo circuit. He joined the United States Air Force and served for 8 years. He was stationed at Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, and soon met his future wife, Betty Priscilla Weems. They were married Jan. 21, 1960 in Portales. They later returned to Eureka, CA where he joined his father on a commercial fishing vessel. Later he worked as a logger for a time, before going to work for the El Dorado Irrigation District in Placerville, CA. He retired from that position in the late 1990’s.
Mr. Hamilton was an avid collector of movies, and had a collection of more than 9,000 at the time of his death. Mr. Hamilton was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather, and always enjoyed playing with his grandchildren. He never lost his love for animals, and enjoyed taking care of his daughters horses.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Hamilton of Portales; a son, Thomas Hamilton and a daughter, Carolann Stedman both of Portales; six grandchildren, Michael and Cheyenne Stedman, and Alexus, Allison, Melody and Kaiden Hamilton; and a great-grandchild, Alexusann Stedman. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Jim Hamilton, a sister, Ann Wilma Kennedy and by a grandson, Jaxon Hamilton.
