Thomas Arthur Hamilton, known to all as “Artie,” of Tryon,  North Carolina passed away May 20, 2018, at his residence in White Oak Manor.

Artie was born Aug. 23, 1929, in Rutherford County, North Carolina to Willa Mae Mills Hamilton and Arthur Lee Hamilton. He was the youngest of five children, and the only son.

He attended grade school in Tryon. By high school, his family moved to Los Angeles where Artie was a popular student body president of University High School in West Los Angeles, graduating in 1948.

He attended Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, where he was a standout running back and track athlete.  Artie served in the U.S. Army, returned to Tryon and married Ruth Hannon Hamilton with whom he had five children.

After his military service, the family relocated from Tryon to Los Angeles for work opportunities. Tryon held a very treasured place in his heart, and he eventually moved back. 

In retirement, he was very active in many civic and charitable organizations, especially Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, the Rotary Club, Friends of the Library, and Habitat for Humanity. He was named president emeritus of the Friendship Council, and was a recipient of the Governor’s Award for Volunteer Service.

He was known as a kind and caring friend to many, and a tireless volunteer who embodied the special spirit of life in Tryon.

Artie is survived by his former wife Ruth; children Alan, Daryl, Linda, Gordon (wife Kathleen) and Gary (wife Zelda); 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 2, 2018, in the McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon, with the Rev. Mark Butler officiating.

Burial will follow in Good Shepherd Cemetery, Tryon, with military rites conducted by the Polk County Veterans Memorial Honor Guard.

All friends and family are invited to a reception following the service from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 2, 2018, at McFarland Funeral Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Friendship Council, P.O. Box 414, Lynn, NC 28750.

An online guest register is available www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral

Chapel & Crematory,

Tryon