James Hamilton Obituary

James "Jimmy" Everett Hamilton, 84, of Lexington, passed away in his sleep surrounded by loved ones during the early hours of Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, 14 years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.
He was born on Feb. 13, 1939, in Fredericktown, (previously known as Fredericksburg), Jimmy graduated from St. Joseph Preparatory School in Bardstown in 1957. During his life, he founded and owned various companies in Kentucky, Florida, Nevada and Colorado. He was the founder and owner of Black Star Exploration (KY), Jimmy Hamilton Gas and Oil (KY), TRIJIM Coal (KY), Burning Star Coal (KY), Bledsoe Coal (KY), Hanco (KY), Glen Oaks Square Condominiums (Las Vegas, NV), Lincoln Centre Commercial Real Estate (Springfield, KY), Precision Products (Lexington, KY), Mas Hamilton (Lexington, KY), United Transportation (Lexington, KY), Wildcat Cab, Yellow Cab and Holiday Cab (Lexington, KY), Hamilton Stables (Hallandale Beach, FL), Besie G. Gold Mining (Durango, CO), Hamilton South Ranch (Vero Beach, FL), ILOR Software Company (Lexington, KY) and was in partnership with Nally and Gibson (Springfield, KY). Jimmy was a Kentucky Colonel.
Jimmy was a devout parishioner of the Cathedral of Christ the King and an avid swimmer. His passion for living was centered around his wife, children, grandchildren and family. He was dedicated to serving others in recovery and was a contributor to the Shepherd's House, Catholic Action Center and other recovery and homeless initiatives throughout Lexington.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Frances Hamilton; his brother, Edwin Hamilton; and his brother-in-law, Colonel Paul Smith.
He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Julie Hamilton; his three sons, Gunnar Hamilton, J.D. Hamilton and John Kennedy Hamilton; his five daughters, Lisa (John) Downs, Bridgett (Frank) Wilson, Karen Hamilton, Claira (Rodney) Reynolds and Noelle (Khalid) Rayan; one adopted son, Ansuma Jarju (Gambia, Africa), and daughter, Marli Knipp, (Pretoria, South Africa); 20 grandchildren, Jimmy Hamilton, Mary Elizabeth Hamilton, John Wesley Hamilton, Amelia Hamilton, Mariam Montgomery, Currin Hamilton, Kennedy Hamilton, Cole Downs, Paul Downs, Jordan Downs, Kate Wilson, Cameron Wilson, Dylan Trulock, Jack Reynolds, Henry Reynolds, David Reynolds, Jacob Reynolds, Shawn Reynolds, Sunnie Rayan and Sufyan Rayan; two adopted grandchildren, Ebrima Jimmy Jarju and Abdoulie Jarju; one brother, Richard "Ritchie" Hamilton; five sisters, Norma Jean Smith, Mary Ruth (Vince) Porter, Joan (Mark) Hamilton, Paula (Wayne) Bemiss and Celeste (Peter) Dawson; 16 great-grandchildren; and several beloved nieces and nephews.
The Hamilton family would like to extend special thanks to Eliska Schneider, Karin Bonfat, Keisha Jones, Glenn Spencer, Collier Porter and Shay Smith for the special care and friendship they gave Jimmy during his last years of life.
The funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 30, at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Lexington.
Visitation will be held at Barlow Funeral Home in Bardstown, on Sunday, Oct. 29, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and the wake at 5 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may go to Sanders-Brown Center on Aging or the Hope Center.
Barlow Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.