Ommer Dean 'O. D.' Hamilton, Jr. of Midlothian (formerly of Hemphill) passed away Friday, Oct. 27 at Midtowne Meadows in Midlothian.

O. D. was born on July 1, 1929 in Palmerto Ommer Dean Hamilton and Thelma Elizabeth Pace Hamilton. He was a trainman with Santa Fe Railroad for many years where he had worked as an Engineer and Brakeman as well as many other positions. He was assigned the position of teaching any new government rules to the other trainmen and women, so he gutted a boxcar, filled it with school desks and installed a sign that read 'Hamilton's College of Boxcar Knowledge'. There he kept everyone up to date on any and all regulations. Later, he was named Rules Examiner for the Northern Division of Texas Santa Fe Railroad. But he wasn't done yet. Finally, he was promoted to Northern Division Safety Supervisor, the position that he held until his retirement in 1986.

After retiring, he and his wife, Elaine, moved to Hemphill where they were members of First Baptist Church in Hemphill and where he served as a deacon. He had also served as a deacon at Emanuel Baptist Church in Beaumont, First Baptist Church in Loeb and First Baptist Church in Mansfield, Texas. O. D. was a 62 year Master Mason with Littleton Fowler Lodge #365 in Hemphill. He was given the Golden Trowel Award in 2002 and he had served as Chaplain in 1990 and 1991. He joined Scottish Rite on March 28, 1990. He was a 33rd Degree Mason and a White Hat in Scottish Rite. He joined the Sharon Shrine Temple in 1991 and was a Charter Member of the Sabine County Shrine Club.

He loved God and his family more than anything else. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and grandchildren in his motorhome, showing them the United States.

O. D. is survived by his wife of 74 years, Opal Elaine (Erwin) Hamilton; daughters, Cynthia Bell of Lafayette, Louisiana and Candy Shuffitt and husband, Larry, of Venus, Texas; brother, Bill Hamilton and wife, Mary Ann of Midlothian; grandchildren, Ken Harrison and wife, Stephanie, Tammie Harrison, April Cunningham and husband, Jason, Melanie Barber and husband, Michael, and Michelle Freeman and husband, Wayne; great grandchildren, Zach and wife, Paige, Ky, Grant and wife, Olivia, Evan, Matt, Madison, Jace, Morgan, Maddox and Jaxson; and great great grandchild, Ivy Lucille.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Casi Harrison; brothers, Gerald Hamilton and F. N. Hamilton; and granddaughter, Christina Bird.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3 at Starr Funeral Home, 510 Starr Street, Hemphill.

Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4 in First Baptist Church of Hemphill under the direction of Starr Funeral Home with Bro. Troy Richardson officiating.

Masonic Rites and burial will follow services in Little Flock Cemetery with his grandson, Ken, and great grandchildren, Zach, Ky, Grant, Evan, Matt, Madison, Jace, Morgan, Maddox and Jaxson serving as pallbearers.

Memories and condolences may be shared at starrfuneralhome. com