Our dear father, Henry (Hal) Brodnax Hamilton, passed away March 19th, 2025, due to a valiant battle with Parkinson's disease, in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. He was 85, and he was born and grew up in Eutaw, Alabama.
Preceded in death by his wife, Linda (Lynn) O'Briant Hamilton and his parents Rachel Brodnax Hamilton and Bain Hamilton.
He truly lived life with zest as was his competitive spirit and achievements from waterskiing competitions, and love for the great outdoors. Hal spent the 1960's married to our mother, Patsy Bridges Hamilton and he was in the car business and then was a partner with John Elliott at Roberts Sporting Goods.  Since 1990, he was a gun enthusiast with antique and collectible guns. Around that time in 1989, he married Lynn and they were so happy. We and the grandkids called her, Mama Lynn, and she loved and doted on our children. She passed away unexpectedly in 2004 and Dad and our family were devastated. But, waterskiing kept him busy and in 2008, at the age of 68, he won the National amateur water ski overall event for tricks, slalom and jumping. Then was asked to ski on the US World ski team in his age division for the event in Spain that same summer.  It was a great way to end his career and competitions which kept him busy for over 50 years. Thank you to all of his ski buddies and close friends: Lucky Lowe, Jeff Wiswall, Ham Wallace, Lyman Hardy, Ricky McCormick, cousin, Rick Philpot, Dr. Bill Buck, Brad Brascho, and the UA ski team and so many others that I can't list them all.
Not only was he a father to his twin sons, Bain (Hayden) Hamilton and Whit (Stacy) Hamilton,
but also to his daughter, Bridges Hamilton. He loved his grandchildren, Mary Wynn Hamilton, Meri Dean Hamilton (Richard) McBride, Caroline Hamilton (Michael) Gamel, Whit Hamilton Jr., and Bain (Shea)  Hamilton, and great grandchildren, (Marley Jane Hamilton , Brantley Gamel, and Marshall McBride) and is survived by his ever loving sister, Merri Hamilton Chapman (and brother in law, Lewis, who was such a good friend and spiritual inspiration) from Montgomery, Alabama; along with his cherished nephews, Peyton (Melissa) Chapman, Will (Amy) Chapman, and Bain (Corinne) Chapman.  Also, his sisters-in-law, Margaret Howell and Sharon Harcrow and nephew, Jeffrey Howell and niece, Jenny Crabtree.
We would also like to thank Hope George, who has been a wonderful caregiver to Dad and a close family friend to all of us. Her weekly visits and room decorations and photos were so thoughtful. Thank you, Hope! Thank you to Southern Beacon Hospice and East Glen Nursing home who took wonderful care of Dad for over 2 years.
He was a graduate of Marion Military Institute in 1958, Univ of Alabama in 1962, and he was in the Navy for a short time.
At our father's request, his ashes will be spread at a favorite place deep in the woods where he liked to hunt and fish, and also ashes will be buried next to Lynn Hamilton at her graveside.
It is our father's wish, in lieu of flowers, that friends and family can donate to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation and University of Alabama Water Ski team.
Visitation will be determined soon. But probably on April 4th.  We will have a family service on Saturday, April 5th.