Retired Air Force Lt. Col Ralph Hamilton went home to be with the Lord, July 6, 2015.

He was born at the family home in Maryland. While living in Maryland, he spent many happy hours boating on the Potomac River and gathering with family & friends' to feast on local oysters, fish and blue crabs.

After graduation from the University of Maryland, he was commissioned into the USAF. As a C-130 navigator, he was a veteran of the Vietnam War. His 27 year Air Force career afforded him the opportunity to work in many capacities and in many different locales. During the last three years of his career, he was the Airfield Manager at Pope Air Force Base.

Upon his retirement from the military, he spent 13 years as the Assistant Airport Director at the Fayetteville Regional Airport and earned the AAE certification from the American Association of Airport Executives. He also taught classes for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Webster University.

He fulfilled his desire to give back to others for all he had received in life by volunteering for eight years as a driver for the DAV, and for six years at the heart center of Cape Fear Valley Hospital, and as a volunteer income tax preparer at the Blue Street Senior Center.

He enjoyed traveling and completed a goal of touring all 50 State Houses. He took joy in completing the daily sudoku puzzle.

He was a devoted member of Snyder Memorial Baptist Church. For many years, he enjoyed teaching a men's Sunday School class, ushering during the Singing Christmas tree and greeting on Sunday mornings. He led by example, laughed often and offered wisdom and guidance to all he came in contact with.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father and brothers, Ricardo Hamilton and Lloyd Hamilton.

Left to remember his loving and his caring nature are his wife, Susan Hamilton of the home and daughters Susan DeBerry and husband Eddie of Indian Trail, NC; Cyndie Zaleski and husband Miike of Warrenton, VA; Kathy Hamilton of Chapel Hill, NC; Patricia Gray and husband David of Raleigh, NC; granddaughters, Catherine DeBerry, Kristen DeBerry, Allison Zaleski, Madelyn Zaleski and grandson Eddie DeBerry, sister Ann Carpenter of White Plains, MD and half-brother Jimmy Berry and wife Mary Pat of Port Tobacco, MD, half-sister Diane Rausch and husband Bob of Waldorf MD.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be given to Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, the American Heart Association or a charity of your choice. The family will receive friends on Monday, July 13, 2015 from 1:30 – 3:00 pm at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church prior to the 3:00 pm service. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.