David Neil Hamilton
March 18, 1954 - Nov. 16, 2019
David Neil Hamilton was born to Wesley and Carol Hamilton March 18, 1954 in Pendleton, Ore. As a child, David lived in the small towns of Echo, Irrigon and Pilot Rock, Ore. The family later moved to Salem, where David and his older brother John met and became part of a new family with their Dad’s marriage to Jeanette. The family moved to Lake Oswego, where David graduated from Lakeridge High School in 1972.
After high school, David chose to enlist in the United States Navy. He became an Electrical Repairman and as a class III swimmer, also became a diver. In addition to San Diego, his service areas included Hawaii and Vietnam. David received an honorable discharge from the Navy in 1976, and soon after began work at Gage Industries in Lake Oswego, where he purchased a home nearby. Many years of service to Gage Industries provided the experience David needed to start his own company, helping others design and configure their own plastic manufacturing facilities.
After living as a bachelor for many years, David married Ellen Bernard in 2002, and began another happy episode in his life. The couple eventually moved to Gig Harbor, Wash., where they would continue their relationship with the water, sailing on David’s boat Ity-Bity and enjoying yacht club life.
Dave and Ellen eventually moved back to Lake Oswego, to support Ellen’s father in his senior years. Shortly after her father’s passing, Ellen was also taken from David after a short illness. Dave resumed his residence in Lake Oswego, where he remained until his death Nov. 16, 2019.
David is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, John and Susan Hamilton of Oregon City; his step-mother, Jeanette Hamilton of Salem, Ore.; his stepbrother, Jeffrey and wife, Chris Lawrence of Lyons, Ore.; and his sister-in-law, Colleen Lawrence of Milwaukie. David was preceded in death by his father, Wesley Hamilton; and stepbrother, Mark Lawrence. Dave will also be missed by numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019, at Holman-Hankins-Bowker & Waud Funeral Home, 715 7th Street in Oregon City. The family requests donations in lieu of flowers to Do Good Multnomah: www.dogoodmultnomah.org
