Gordon Hamilton, Camp Founder, Teacher, Leader Of Youth Groups

Almost three decades ago J. Gordon Hamilton told then Seattle Times columnist John Reddin:

"I probably expect more of a child than any man alive, but you would be surprised at how often a kid will come up to your expectations."

Over more than six decades of working with youth as a camp counselor, Boy Scout leader, teacher and director of the Catholic Youth Organization's camping program in Western Washington, Gordy Hamilton challenged thousands of youngsters to reach beyond themselves.

Mr. Hamilton died at a Seattle hospital Monday after a five-month bout with cancer. He was 81.

"I think it was one of the best decisions I made in 44 years as a priest in hiring him," said the Rev. Richard Stohr, former CYO director and a close friend. "He had a sort of a magnetism. He was a dynamic-type person. . . . He made a tremendous impression on the lives of a lot of youths who are now adults - and on adults."

A native of Seattle, Mr. Hamilton was attracted to the outdoors as a child. He earned Eagle Scout rank as a student at St. Benedict School in the Wallingford District and won a scouting scholarship that paid his first year's tuition to the University of Washington after he graduated from Lincoln High School.

Mr. Hamilton was on the staff of the Boy Scouts' Camp Parsons from 1924 to 1930 and served as director of Camp Rotary, a former Rotary Club camp on Mercer Island. He also founded Camp Discovery, a 480-acre private boys camp at Dabob Bay on Hood Canal, which he operated summers between 1930 and 1942.

He earned a bachelor's degree from the UW and did graduate work there in mathematics and science, while working as a field executive for the Chief Seattle Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

In 1932 he joined the faculty of the Lakeside School, where he taught mathematics and physics and was boys' adviser.

During World War II, Mr. Hamilton joined the Navy and served three years in the Pacific, being discharged as a lieutenant commander.

He returned to Lakeside after the war and also started his own construction company, but in 1952 he left Lakeside to direct the CYO camping program.

When he retired in 1975, what had been a fledgling CYO camping program was recognized as one of the best in the nation.

Even in retirement, Mr. Hamilton was active on behalf of the CYO camping efforts.

Two years ago, a new 540-acre CYO camp at the foothills of the Cascades, which he helped plan and for which he sought money, was opened. It is named Camp Hamilton.

Substantial contributions came from Mr. Hamilton's former Lakeside students, Father Stohr said.

Mr. Hamilton is survived by his wife, Mary Patricia; a brother, the Rev. James V. Hamilton, of St. Catherine's Church, Seattle; two sons, David Hamilton, Bremerton, and Dennis Hamilton, New Haven, Conn.; three stepsons, Bryan, Jim and John Wilder, all of Seattle; three stepdaughters, Pauline Wilder of Seattle, Michelle Bender of Portland, and Julie Lorenzen of Dallas; a niece, Julie Hamilton of Seattle; eight grandchildren and six step-grandchildren.

A vigil service and rosary will be at 8 p.m. Friday at Christ the King Catholic Church, 405 N. 117th St. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. Burial will be in Holyrood Cemetery.

The family suggests remembrances to the Discovery Lodge Building Fund for Camp Hamilton, in care of the Catholic Youth Organization, 910 Marion St., Seattle 98104.