Gavin R. Hamilton

Gavin Hamilton April 4, 1958 ~ January 29, 2013 Gavin entered this world on April 4, 1958, at Deaconess Hospital in Wenatchee. He grew to be yet another proud and stubborn Kentuckian Scotsman in a long line of East Wenatchee Hamiltons. Fortunately for him, he also possessed the loving and caring ways of his mother. The combination created the most unique soul. He grew to become the heart of his family. Unfortunately for the world, Gavin went home to his Maker Tuesday, January 29, 2013, at the young age of 54. Gav was a lifelong resident of East Wenatchee. He spent his younger years chasing after two older brothers, trying to catch up with them and be included. We'd run through the sagebrush and the ball fields and the orchards. He was the little blonde guy with the cowlick, who never stopped trying to be where his brothers were. Gav was a middle child... he was sort of hidden sometimes between two older brothers and a younger sister. At times, he almost seemed invisible, almost unnoticeable. But he grew up with a courage and a commitment to our family that trumped us all. Gav grew strong and bold and full of courage. He played life with an abandon and a derring-do that made us all marvel as he flew into acrobatic ski jumps or journeyed to other states to work in the roughest and toughest settings imaginable. Our little brother was a man. He became the man who would drop everything, at any time of night or day, and be there if you needed him. He was the little brother with the big heart and I remember thinking that if I ever really needed someone to be there, I could call him. Gavin enjoyed the outdoors all his life, starting early with adventures on the hillside and orchards surrounding the Hamilton land below Highline Drive. As he grew, his adventures took him up into the canyons of Wenatchee. His father would often drive Gavin and a buddy up to the end of a canyon road and drop them off. They would camp out for a few days, enjoying the wilderness as they wandered home. He explored forests, mountains, deserts, swamps, and beaches the remainder of his life, marveling at all nature had to offer. He traded in his tent for the comfort of a camper and enjoyed exploring Washington parks in it. Gavin was a naturally gifted athlete and artist. He excelled at whatever he tried, from billiards to waterskiing. His passion was for snow skiing, golf, and playing ball. His Grandfather Ellis taught him the game and values of golf at a young age. Lessons Gavin translated into a way of living with honor. Many happy times were had on the course, particularly those with his golf buddy, Cliff, on the old Rock Island course. Later, he became a member of the Highlander. His art was the deepest expression of his soul. Friends and family were treated on birthdays with their name crafted on the envelope by Gavin. He thoroughly enjoyed creating in any medium, from oil and chalk, to welding and wood for the yard. He attended Eastmont High School, graduating in 1976, and went on to attend both Big Bend Community College and Central Washington University on baseball scholarships. He returned to East Wenatchee often on weekends, racing buddies home over Blewett Pass in his Volvo Sportster. The open road and danger called to him often through his early life. He worked on the Rock Island Dam in construction, enjoying the height at which he dangled from a rope over the side. He drove commercial trucks on icy Alaskan roads while still in his teens. In his 20's, he headed south, driving truck and working oil through New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. He spent time in Louisiana working oil rigs in the Gulf. He had amazing stories of riding out storms on the rigs and waterskiing in the swamps. Gavin always returned home to East Wenatchee. He finally found work at Mission Ridge Ski Resort that satisfied his passion for the outdoors, hard work and long hours. Gavin spent 11 years caring for the resort. As the facilities manager, he became known as the "G-Man." Although he left the Ridge for easier work at the PUD in 2001, his heart remained on the mountain. Gavin loved people. He attracted them to him wherever he went. He listened compassionately and engaged enthusiastically with those he met. Complete strangers on Tahiti, Kauai and Mexico became fast friends, inviting Gavin over after just one visit. He liked to wander over to see what his brother, Bruce, was doing in his garage just to chat, would sit on Michael's deck telling "tall tales" for hours, and especially delighted in teasing his niece, Mariah. We thank God for Gavin Hamilton's life. All of us are better off because of him. All of us will miss him beyond words. Gavin is survived by his wife, Debi and her two children, Christopher Neuberger and Casey (George, granddaughter, Malin) White; the daughter whom he truly adored, Alexis Amelia Hamilton; his parents, Wm and Carolyn Hamilton; his sisters, Heather (Tim) Breen of Wenatchee and Angel (Brad) Sahnow of Portland, OR; his brothers, Jeff (Jennifer) Hamilton of Sierra Madre, CA and Bruce Hamilton of East Wenatchee; his nieces, Amanda, Carrie, Lauren, Mariah and Miranda; nephews, Ryan and Gabriel; great-nephew, Noah; his best friend since childhood and a great source of joy and support, Michael (Cindy) Broderson; and his ever present little buddies, Abigail and Frankie. The Celebration of Gavin's Life begins this Friday, February 8, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. at the Eastmont Baptist Church, 400 South Kentucky, East Wenatchee. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider donating to the good works of the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society, 1474 S. Wenatchee Avenue, Wenatchee, WA 98801; and/or the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517. Incredibly caring arrangements are by Telford's Chapel of the Valley.

Gavin R. Hamilton

April 4, 1958 - January 29, 2013