Harold Hamilton Obituary

Pastor Harold E Hamilton

Pastor Harold E. Hamilton of Lincoln, Nebraska, died Thursday, December 5, 2013 in Lincoln. Born on June 15, 1922, in Carter Lake, Iowa. He attended North High School in Omaha and graduated from Omaha University (now the University of Nebraska at Omaha). During his college years he worked for the YMCA of Omaha and was involved in community work under the auspices of the YMCA in East Omaha.

He graduated from Western Lutheran Theological Seminary in Fremont, Nebraska (it is now a part of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago) and was ordained to the gospel ministry on April 14, 1947 by the Nebraska Synod of the United Lutheran Church in America.

He accepted a call from the Board of Missions of the ULCA to do mission work in Oregon. He and the young lady who became his wife, Darlene Phyllis Softley of Fremont, moved west. He served as the pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church of Portland, Oregon from October 1947 to July 1951.

From August 1951 to August 1954 he was called to serve as pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Salem, Oregon. In Sept 1954 he was called to serve as the pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church a parish where he served as an Internship during his seminary days in Lawrence, Kansas He served Trinity Lutheran Church from September 1954 thru February 1972.

He was called to serve First Lutheran Church of Lincoln, Nebraska from February 1972 thru August 1982. In March 1983 through July 1987 he served as the chaplain of Tabitha Home of Lincoln. In October 1987 he was asked to serve as a Visitation Pastor for Our Saviour's Lutheran Church of Lincoln and concluded his service on April 2000.

Voluntarily, he conducted monthly worship services at three local retirement centers since 1987. An ardent supporter of voting responsibilities/privileges he has served as a member of the Lancaster County Election Board since 1962.

Remembering the Depression of the 1930's he knew the problem of hunger. Since his retirement he has involved his grandchildren in the gathering, packing and delivery of foodstuffs throughout the year to seven local charitable agencies.

He was preceded in death by a son, Mark David, March 6, 1954; his wife, Darlene, on February 29, 2004; by his parents, Abel & Ella Hamilton, a sister, Violet and two brothers, Fred & Milt.

He is survived by three sons & their wives; Jay & Ann; Jeff & Peg and Jon & Sue, all of Lincoln, NE, by 10 grandchildren, Ingrid (husband Dane Skilbred), Gretchen, Ethan (wife Malorie), Jacob, Garth, Jonah, Nick, Nicole, Jessa and Matthew and great granddaughter, Courtney Skilbred and by cousins & other relatives.

A memorial service will be held at Southwood Lutheran Church, 4301 Wilderness Hills Blvd (9300 S. 40th street Street), Lincoln on Saturday, December 14, at 2:00 pm. Pastor Tobi White will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries, Inc. (Carol Joy Holling Youth Church Camp), 27416 Ranch Road; Ashland, Nebraska 68003 or Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 40th & C Street, Lincoln, NE 68510

Condolences may be left at www.bmlfh.com.

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