It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Donald Keith Hamilton who was born on December 21, 1952 in Canton, Ohio. He passed on the evening of July 4th, 2026, a fitting day being his time spent working with fireworks.

Don is preceded in death by his father, Robert E. Hamilton, his mother, Marjorie Clayton Hamiton, his older brother, Bobby Hamilton, and his older sister, Shirley Steele (husband, John Steele).

He is survived by his wife Paula Hamilton and their children: Connie Kocher, oldest daughter (husband, Chris Kocher and grandsons, David and Gage), Joe Hamilton, only son, (wife, Liz Hamilton and grandchildren, Haylee, Madison, and Bryson), and Cheryl Hamilton, his youngest daughter. Don also leaves behind his younger sister, Kathy Dowdy (husband, Mike Dowdy and daughter, Suzanna); his sister-in law, Sherl Hamilton; his nephew, Branden Hamilton; his niece, Chantelle Johnson (husband, Eric and children, Natasha, Landon, Miley, and Tanner); and his nephew, Brian Steele (wife, Lindsay Steele and daughters, Brianne and Katelyn).

Don graduated high school from DeKalb High School. He spent most of his adult life employed by Walt Disney World (July 1, 1972-May 27, 2009). He started at the Crystal Palace as a bus boy, transferred to Entertainment Services where he was a part of Live Entertainment. He worked in the parks, Conventions at the Contemporary, Top of the World, the Luau, Discovery Island, and Disney Village. From there the road led to Pyrotechnics, Broadcast Operations, and lastly, Show Support. In his “free time” he worked with Sunset Fireworks in St. Louis, Missouri and PyroShows in LaFollette, TN helping with firework distribution as well as serving on the tech team at Circle Community Church. After retiring from Disney, he worked at Narccoossee Middle School as an IT Tech with the School District of Osceola County (Aug. 2009-June 2020).

While employed at Disney, he earned many awards for years of service, an Angel Award plus many others. While at Narcoosee Middle School he was honored as Support Person of the Year.

He was a man who loved Jesus, who was hardworking and selfless, and would do anything to help someone, always sacrificing his time and effort for others.

His love for his wife, children, and grandchildren was experienced on a daily basis. Whether he was helping his wife with tasks involving the computer or finding ways to ease her concerns, he often put her first. He always showed his love by treating her like a princess. And for his children and grandchildren, he did the same by helping his daughter move, transporting grandchildren, giving helpful advice, and providing a shoulder to cry on. He was there. Present. Exemplifying Christ’s love.

We know he has gone home to his Heavenly Father. We will miss him but find peace in knowing that we will see him again one day.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 5th from 1:00-4:00 pm at Grace Church’s Center of Teaching and Healing (formerly Circle Community Church), 2200 Pembrook Dr. Orlando. We will pause at 1:30 pm to share stories about what an amazing man he was. Light refreshments will be served. In lieu of flowers, feel free to donate funds in Don’s name to Samaritan’s Purse, the Orlando Union Rescue Mission, or a non-profit that reminds you of Don.