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Vernon Leon Hamilton, age 82, of U.S. 60 East, Morehead, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Saturday, July 11, 2020, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Vernon was born October 18, 1937, in Rowan County, a son of Trace Brooks Hamilton and Rena Fraley Hamilton. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Reverend “Kenny” Hamilton; and one sister, Helen Tanner, as well as a very special brother-in-law, Delmas Gay Evans, whom he considered a brother.
Vernon is survived by his wife of 62 years, Doris Jean Evans Hamilton, whom he wed on March 22, 1958; one daughter, Vickie Carol Rivers of Olive Hill; two sons, Delmas Leon Hamilton (Shari) of Morehead and Mark Dewayne Hamilton of Morehead; four grandchildren, Amos Rivers, Tiffany Hamilton, Melinda Rivers Cecil (Chase), and Eian Porter. Vernon was blessed with his first great grandchild, Meliah Faith Cecil, on March 31, 2020.
He is also survived by one brother, Milton Hamilton, and two sisters, Barbara Lawhorn and Mildred Parker, all of Morehead, as well as many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends, who will greatly miss him.
Vernon was a very well-known businessman. He started his career working at age 16 for Ray L. White and Sons Lumber and later founded his own companies. In 1968, Vernon started Hamilton Hardwood Lumber Company, Inc. in Hitchens, which he owned and operated until 1986. He then built, owned and operated HWL Lumber Company Inc. in Olive Hill from 1987-1991. From 1991 until his retirement in 2018, he was the operator at Roland T Lumber Inc. in Morehead.
Vernon’s personal passion was the founding of Hamilton Farms (now known as Poppy Mountain) in Morehead from 1974-1991. While operating Hamilton Farms, he raised and sold Charolais cattle; but to Vernon, the most special part of the farm was the breeding, raising, training, and showing Tennessee Walking Horses. He was very proud to have owned several grand champion Walking Horses and could always be found at a horse show every weekend during horse show season.
Vernon provided many people from this area and surrounding counties with employment and managed his many accomplishments with only a third-grade education. Although he led a very busy life, Vernon enjoyed more than anything else time spent with his family, whom he loved dearly. Vernon gave his life to the Lord in the early seventies and was a devout Christian. He attended Olive Hill Wesleyan Church.
Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, 2020, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals Memorial Chapel with Brother Jack Evans officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers: Faron Henderson, Chase Cecil, Dan Gilliam, Bobby Bowman, Dale Davis, Tim Davis, James Rivers. Honorary Pallbearers: Paul Henderson, Bob Wagoner, Addie Plank.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, 2020, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals, 400 Fraley Drive, Morehead, KY 40351.
COVID-19 restrictions will be followed.
View memorial tribute and sign guestbook at www.northcuttandson.com
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