Calvin Kenneth Hamilton

Calvin K. HamiltonThe Honorable Calvin Kenneth Hamilton, 89, of Kansas City, Missouri passed away on April 25, 2014 at North Kansas City Hospital. Judge Hamilton, better known as "Cal" was born September 28, 1924 to Len and Neva (Bland) Hamilton of Caplinger Mills in Cedar County, Missouri. He was the oldest of five children. Cal graduated from Stockton High School in 1942 where he excelled in basketball and baseball. On his eighteenth birthday, Cal enlisted in the United States Naval Air Corps as an air cadet. In 1943 he transferred to the US Army Air Corps. His overseas duty stations included the Tarawa Atoll, the Kwajalein Atoll and Wake Island. On January 8, 1946 Cal married the love of his life, Geraldine Chadwick. This union was blessed with two lovely and charming daughters, Celia Lynn and Sabina Joy. Calvin graduated cum laude from Drury University in 1949. While attending Drury he enlisted in the Air Force Reserves and in 1950 he was called to active duty during the Korean War. He is one of a few that have had the distinction of being awarded an honorable discharge from three branches of the military; Navy, Army and Air Force. In 1956, Cal graduated from UMKC Law School and began practicing, beginning what would be a 35 year legal career including serving as US District Attorney and later appointed Chief US Magistrate Judge by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Judge Hamilton retired from public service in 1991. Cal was a loving and devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, a distinguished lawyer and judge and a friend to all. He led by Godly example and blessed all those lives he touched.He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Celia Lynn Crist. He is survived by his wife Gerry of 68 years, daughter Sabina Taute, son-in-law Harry Taute; four grandchildren Scott Hamilton Crist; Justin Hamilton Taute, wife Regina and great grandson Oliver; Kyle Gustav Taute and Leslie Ann Hatch and her husband Nathan Hatch. He is also survived by two brothers and two sisters. Judge Hamilton was a member of the Harmony Vineyard Church. He had three priorities: first was God; second his beloved wife, daughters, grandchildren and great grandson; third his vocation (practice of the law.) He enjoyed every moment he spent with his family and he demonstrated a special kind of love for his grandchildren. He was often heard to say, "I want to leave more in this world than I take out." The family will receive friends from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm on Wednesday, April 30th with  funeral services immediately following at the Harmony Vineyard Church, 600 NE 46th Street (46th and North Oak), Kansas City, Missouri. Interment will be at Mount Moriah Terrace Park Cemetery, 801 NW 108th Street, Kansas City, Missouri. To celebrate Cal's love of life memorials may be made in his name to Harmony Vineyard Church or Missouri Special Olympics. Arrangements under the direction of Mount Moriah Terrace Park Funeral Home, Kansas City, Missouri

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