Donald Joe Hamilton passed away in Ada, Oklahoma on Friday, April 3, 2020, at the age of 71 years.

Don was the son of Joe James Hamilton & Carmaletia Mae (Rice) Hamilton, born on October 28, 1948, in Holdenville, Oklahoma, where he was brought up and attended schools. He graduated Holdenville High School with the Class of 1966, and remained on the family farm for a year before joining the U.S. Navy. He served four years during the Vietnam era on an aircraft carrier, working as an aircraft mechanic. He reenlisted, but served only a short time before receiving an honorable medical discharge.

He attended and graduated East Central University in Ada, but remained in the Holdenville area and enjoyed various occupations, including corrections officer at Davis Correctional Facility. He and his dad opened the Wagon Wheel Steakhouse and Golf Course in the early 1980s. He has most recently owned and operated Captain Don's Store at Holdenville Lake. He enjoyed arts and crafts, particularly woodworking, and loved making wooden walking canes and decorative boxes. With the exception of a brief time in Shawnee, Don lived his entire life in the Holdenville area.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Joe & Carmaletia Hamilton; one brother, Lloyd Hamilton; one niece, Annette Hamilton, and one nephew, Chad Hamilton.

He is survived by his sister, Charlotte Love of Holdenville, and his brother and sister-in-law, James & Donna Hamilton of Anadarko; nieces and nephews: Gene Nall, Candy Hamilton McGhghy, Kristy Nall Lashbrook, Matthew Hamilton, Richard Hamilton, and Clinton Love.

Memorial services are planned for a later date.