Ralph E. Hamilton departed this life at 8:45 pm Saturday, February 5, 2011 in Manor Care Nursing Home at the age of 104 years, seven months and 14 days. Ralph was born on June 22, 1906 near Crocker, Missouri and was preceded in death by his parents J.E. (Ed) and Carrie Claiborn, Hamilton, his wife of 68 years, Mae Thornsberry, sisters, Hazel and Crystal, brother Harold and daughter Juanita Sue. He is survived by a son Herbert Morris of Springfield, Missouri, two grandchildren, Andrew (Andy) and wife Lynn of Glenn Allen, Virginia, Annette of Columbia and husband Russell Duker, three great-grandchildren: Rebecca, Rachel and Nathaniel Duker; two great-great grandchildren: Matthew and Triston, all of Columbia, Missouri; several nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends.
Ralph accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at the age of eleven and was an active member of First Baptist Church, Springfield. He spent 51 years as an educator in Missouri Schools: classroom teacher at the elementary, secondary, and collegiate levels, and as coach, principal and superintendent of schools. He demonstrated a great love for youth and enjoyed observing their progress.
He was actively involved in church, school and community and received numerous rewards for his steady participation and leadership. He also took time with his wife and close friends for favorite hobbies of gardening, fishing and reading. His teaching career began in 1924 in a one- room school house (FoxCrossing) in Pulaski County, then a two-teacher elementary school at Hancock, Missouri; five years as principal and coach at Richland, MO; four years as Superintendent of schools in Competition; 9 years (during second World War) as superintendent in Rogersville; 6 years as Superintendent in Cassville; two years as Principal of elementary and junior high at H.P. Studyschool and 13 years (1958-1971) as principal of Springfield's Central HighSchool. After retiring he did substitute teaching at various high schools in Springfield and in Galena, Missouri, and taught four summer courses at Missouri State University and Columbia College. His own education was all completed during summer months leading to receipt of a B.S. in education from "State Teachers College," Springfield (1934) and an Ed.M. from the University of Missouri- Columbia (1941). He also completed advanced courses at MU over the years.
Hamilton affiliated with a local church in each town where he worked. He was ordained as deacon 72 years before his death and at First Baptist Springfield was active on the building committee, chairman of the benevolence committee, and the foundation committee, church Training Director for Greene CountyBaptist Association, member of the Mission committee, etc. He started a Cub and Boy Scout troop, when at Rogersville and promoted scouting in Cassville and Springfield. He received the Silver Beaver Award and The Good Shepherd Award for his distinguished service to scouting. He was also awarded membership in the Order of the Arrow, a national brotherhood of honor campers; and he was an executive board member of the Ozarks Council-Boy Scouts of America for most of his stay in Springfield. He was a 34 year member and past president of the state association of the American Lung Association, director of the Greene County and western Missouri Lung Association, past president of the Greene County American Lung Association, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in 1950.
Ralph was an active member of Rotary for over 50 years, was president of the local club, while in Cassville and a member of the downtown Springfield Rotary Club where he received accolades for consistent meeting attendance. He was past chair of the Rotary Scholarship Committee. He was twice president of the Springfield Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, a former member of the Ozark (American) Rose Society and received recognition for 50 years with the modern Woodmen of America. Upon retirement, he joined the national, state and local Retired Teachers Association where he served as president of the Springfield Chapter and chairman of the legislative committee. He was an active member of the City Utilities Advisory Committee for a number of years and was a recipient of an award from the Board of Public Utilities. In 1998 he received the Lifetime Achievement in Teaching Award from Springfield Public Schools and the Pioneer in Education award from the Missouri Board of Education. In 2001 he was recipient of the Retired Teacher award for Southwest Missouri.
The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 10, 2011 at First Baptist Church, Springfield with the Reverend Michael Overton officiating and Dr. Paul Swadley under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel. Burial will be in Hazelwood Cemetery, weather permitting. Visitation will be from 6:00 -8:00 PM on Wednesday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Springfield Area Retired Teachers Association Scholarship, c/o Jacque White, Treasurer, 1411 Collins Road, Ozark, Missouri 65721, or First Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 525 South Avenue, Springfield, Missouri 65806.
