Isaac Louis Hamilton
Isaac Louis Hamilton, 78, gained his heavenly wings on Saturday, February 17, 2024. He was also known to all as “IKE”.
Isaac was born on April 30, 1945, in Chattanooga, to Ike and Lula Bell (Ponder) Hamilton. He attended West Main Street Elementary School, Second District Junior High School on the Westside of Chattanooga and graduated from Howard High School in 1964 where he was a member of the Baseball and Track teams. He also played the trumpet in the band. He is mostly known for being the Greatest Drum Major “Ever” of the “Marching 100 Howard High School Band”.
Isaac attended LeMoyne-Owen College for a year but decided to serve his country, so he enlisted into the United States Army and served from 1965 through 1969 (during the Vietnam War). During this time in the 1st Battalion 7th Cavalry Division he was bestowed the National Defense Service Medal, Expert (Rifle M-14); Combat Infantryman’s Badge; Vietnam Service Medal; Air Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal, O/S Bar, and The Bronze Star Medal. When he returned home, he attended Chattanooga State Community Technical College where he was an active member of the Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity and received his certification in welding. He worked for Combustion Engineering/Alstrom, The Radisson Read House, and Special Transit Service (STS). He worked for almost 30 years and retired.
Isaac loved his Chattanooga community as he was an active member in the Howard High School Alumni Association and Local Chapter 203 of the Vietnam Veterans of America Organization at American Legion Post 95 in East Ridge. A Medal of Honor Brick was placed in his honor at the Medal of Honor Heritage Center that is located in Downtown Chattanooga. Isaac was a faithful member of Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church for over 25 years and was active in the Male/Senior choirs and Food Ministry.
Isaac enjoyed traveling, listening to jazz, watching westerns, playing Spades/Dominos, shooting pool and spending anytime with his family and longtime childhood friends- Lanie Bell Ponder, Cleveland Kemp, Fred Jinks, Tommy Rawls, Melvin Caldwell, and James Massengill.
He was preceded in death by his parents Ike and Lula Bell (Ponder) Hamilton, older brother Walter Martin, father-in-law Alvin Ramsey, and brother-in-law Christopher Ramsey Sr.
He is survived by his wife of 27 years Reginia D. Hamilton, daughters Dr. Shawna P. Hamilton of Jacksonville, FL and Stacey (Charles) Chavis of Chattanooga; granddaughter Jamisen Mobley (Senior at University of Tennessee at Knoxville); bonus grandchildren Charles (Marie) Chavis of St. Augustine, FL and Chelsea Chavis (Austin Peay University); bonus great-granddaughter Elena J. Chavis of St. Augustine, FL; mother-in-law Charmayne Ramsey; sisters in law Rhomonda Fifer and Lucrecia Ramsey; brother-in-law Fredrick Ramsey- all of Chattanooga; brother-in-law Mark (Traci) Ramsey of Plano, TX; nieces and nephews-Teresa Martin, Minnie Jean George, Shirley Frances, Barbara Martin, James Martin-all of McDonough, Ga; Marcus Ramsey of Knoxville, TN; LeAndra (Matthew) Naylor of Chattanooga; Bria Ramsey, Christopher Ramsey Jr (Senior at University of Tennessee at Knoxville), Evan Ramsey (Middle Tennessee State University), Brooke Lynn Ramsey of Plano, TX; a host of aunts, uncles, great nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Dedicated friend and church member, Mother Carrie Harden.
Public viewing will be held from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25, at the funeral home.
An 11:30 a.m. funeral service will take place at Greater Friendship MB Church, 914 Park Avenue, Monday, Feb. 26.
Interment will follow at 1:30 p.m. with military honors at Chattanooga National Cemetery.
The service will be live streamed via Facebook and YouTube of Greater Friendship MB Church,
Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., Chattanooga, Tn., 423 622-9995.