J. Hamilton

J. Richard ÒRichÓ Hamilton was a retired lawyer and former managing partner for the Cleveland firm Baker Hostetler. He also served on the board of directors of many current and former Cleveland corporations, including; Preformed Line Products, The Standard Products Co., and Cloyes Gear and Products, Inc. Mr. Hamilton, most recently a resident of Cleveland Heights, was a long time supporter and resident of Bratenahl Village. He died with his family at the Cleveland Clinic on February 14th after a long battle with cancer. Mr. Hamilton was born in Wadsworth Ohio and grew up in the small town of Leroy Ohio now called Westfield Center where his father was an executive of the Ohio Farmers Insurance Company. In High School he was voted ÒAll Medina CountyÓ in basketball. Also during his High School years, he attended Culver Summer Navel Academy where he played baritone in the Navel Band. He received his B.S. degree from Ohio University Phi Delta Theta Fraternity then after two years in the Air Force, excelled in law school at Ohio State. He joined then Baker Hostetler & Patterson in 1956, became a partner in 1966, managing partner in 1980 and partner in charge in 1986. Mr. Hamilton retired in 2007. Besides family and his rustic cottage on OntarioÕs Upper French River, Mr. HamiltonÕs focus was on playing trombone. During his lifetime he played jazz and dixieland trombone in venues all over the greater Cleveland area. He was a member of the Hermit Club of Cleveland and a founding member of its Jazz Orchestra. He was also a member of the Night Owls Band. For many years Mr. Hamilton has been active in the Court of Nisi Prius. He played his trombone, wrote skits, directed and served as judge of the Grand Assize, a gathering of ClevelandÕs most influential political and business professionals. Mr. Hamilton was the husband of the late Rae Indoe Hamilton and the father of Jeffrey Gale, Thomas Betina, Susan Kremer Bruce and Nancy Abbott Jim. He was the grandfather of J. Ross Hamilton Gretchen; Jack and William Hamilton; Lacey and Tess Kremer; James Abbott V and recently a great grandfather to Jasper R. Hamilton. The family prefers that, those who wish to make memorial contributions do so in his name to the Culver Educational Foundation for the Col. Payson Naval Band Endowment, 1300 Academy Road #153, Culver Indiana 46511. Memorial Services will be held at Fairmount Presbyterian Church, 2757 Fairmount Blvd. at Coventry on Saturday February 27 at 2 PM. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the Hermit Club, 1629 Dodge Court, Cleveland.


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