Jeffrey Lee Hamilton

Jeffrey Lee Hamilton, age 66 of Byron, Illinois passed away Saturday, April 14, 2018 at home with his loving family by his side. A funeral mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 19, 2018 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Savanna, Illinois. Visitation will take place from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at Law-Jones Funeral Home in Savanna as well as 10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. on Thursday, April 19, 2018 with rosary service at 10:45 a.m. Military Honors will be rendered at Spring Lake Cemetery in Savanna following the funeral mass. Memorials may be made in Jeff’s honor to Serenity Hospice and Home (Oregon, IL) or The Wounded Warrior Project.

Jeff was born September 9, 1951 in Carroll, Iowa, the son of Robert Taylor and Liena (Pahnke) Hamilton. On August 14, 1971, Jeff married Cathy Marie Ingram at St. John’s Catholic Church in Savanna. They raised two children and celebrated 46 years of marriage. Jeff and Cathy are members of St. Mary Catholic Church in Byron.

Jeff was gifted in both science and math. While in primary school, Jeff was invited to participate in an accelerated academic program. He was an accomplished Cub and Boy Scout and enjoyed baseball as a child. After graduating from Savanna High School in 1969, Jeff entered the U.S. Navy. He was an Electrician’s Mate aboard the USS Jack (SSN-605) Fast Attack Submarine stationed in Groton, CT. He was also selected to participate in the Department of the Navy’s extremely competitive Nuclear Power program. After his Naval service, Jeff attended Joliet Junior College completing his education. He was hired at General Electric (GE) as an electrician and transitioned to Argonne National Laboratories (University of Chicago) where he engaged in electrical engineering research and experimentation for six years in Darien, Il. Jeff once appeared in a segment on the Today Show featuring Argonne’s research on electric cars. He spent the majority of his career as a Nuclear Operator and Training Instructor when he retired from Commonwealth Edison (Exelon Corporation). Following retirement, Jeff remained engaged working part-time for Intren, LLC. He was often described by his coworkers, friends and family members as a very dedicated, hard-working man who took great pride in his work.

Jeff’s hobbies and interests included magic (member of the Society of American Magicians) and he once had the pleasure of meeting David Copperfield. He loved music from the 60’s and 70’s and played electric and acoustic guitar, harmonica and coronet. Jeff enjoyed challenging his mind with logic and puzzle games and relaxing while reading Sci Fi and Thrillers. He was an avid Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy watcher. Many people described him as a “techie” due to his passion for learning new technology and computers. Jeff was a loyal Chicago Cubs and Bears fan. His favorite travel destinations included anywhere with a beach and loved the sounds of ocean waves and whales. He had a passion for sports cars; specifically, the Pontiac GTO and Blue Oldsmobile 442. Jeff was known for being an easy-going person and always enjoyed a good laugh.

He will be dearly missed by his wife, Cathy Hamilton of Byron, Illinois; his daughter, Dawn Ann Hamilton of Tampa, Florida; his son, Jason Michael (Madonna) Hamilton and three grandchildren, Dallas, Cameron and Gavin, all of Omaha, Nebraska; two brothers, James (Yvonne) Hamilton of Davenport, Iowa and Dr. Kevin (Kathy) Hamilton of Bettendorf, Iowa; three sisters, Cathy (Don) Nichols, JoAnn (Marty) Rubio and Julie (Ray) Skiles, all of Savanna, Illinois and a sister-in-law, Dianne (Dave) Buglass of Argyle, Wisconsin. Jeff was preceded in death by both parents and a brother, Robert D. Hamilton.

Jeff’s family wishes to give special thanks to the staff at Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon, IL for their wonderful care and support.