Rodney Harrell Hamilton

Rodney Harrell Hamilton, a true Southern gentleman, was born July 29,1933, in Prescott, Arkansas, to Rodney Stanfield Hamilton and Opal Harrell Hamilton, and passed away peacefully at his home on January 7, 2025, at the age of 91.

Rodney grew up in Prescott, and graduated from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, in 1956, with a BS degree in Business Administration.

He started his career in 1956 as a territory representative for General Air Conditioning Corporation in Little Rock, Arkansas, and ended his career in 2000 as President of the company.

Beginning in junior high, photography was a hobby that turned into a passion and a financial resource, as he loved photographing weddings both in high school and college, and later, after his retirement, when he opened a small photography business from his home.

Before Rodney married Sandy, he asked two things of her. “Never ask me to move. I was born in Arkansas, and I plan to die in Arkansas,” and secondly, “I will go to church with you every Sunday, but never ask me to convert to Catholicism.” However, after numerous visits to Georgia over the years to visit family, he changed his mind about moving. “I love the climate and the closeness of the mountains, and I wouldn’t mind living there at all,” and that is how he arrived at the Villages of Deaton Creek, in Hoschton, GA in 2007. As to his second stipulation, and to Sandy’s great surprise, after 23 years together, he converted to Catholicism, and became a very active member of the Church, serving on the Parish Counsel, and lecturing at both daily and Sunday Masses.

Once Rodney moved to Deaton Creek, he used his photography expertise to take resident pictures for two Village directories, he acted as emcee for the Follies production for eight years, and took the Santa and Easter Bunny pictures for the children. He loved living in Deaton Creek.

Rodney is preceded in death by his parents and an infant son, David.

He is survived by his loving wife Sandy, along with sons, Howard Hamilton (Cathie); Mark Hamilton (Leslie), daughters, Mary Tasker (Eric Michener), Kelly Freeman and Jamie Clark, along with grandchildren Ryan Hamilton, Daniel Tasker (Melisa), David Tasker, Katherine, Elizabeth, Anna and Jack Freeman, and 3 great grandchildren, Nora, Cooper and Lucy Lorraine Tasker.

Rodney leaves a legacy centered upon his faith in God, a vibrant work ethic of doing things right, and many many beautiful pictures of nature and his family.

There will be a funeral Mass at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 6439 Spout Springs Rd, Flowery Branch, GA 30542, on January 23, 2025, at 11:00 A.M., with visitation prior to the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia.

To express condolences, please sign our online guest book at www.flaniganfuneralhome.com. Arrangements By: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA (770) 932-1133.