Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

January 7, 2024

CHARLOTTE – Claude Edwin Hamilton, Jr., 78, went to be with our Lord and Savior on Sunday, January 7, 2024: His treasured and beloved wife, daughter, and grandson were by his side.  Claude was challenged with an autoimmune disease for the last year of his life.  These challenges never derailed his tenacity or his spirit.  Taking to his motorized wheelchair like a champ, he would show off his new “fancy ride”.

Claude was born October 6, 1945, in Salisbury, NC, son of the late Leatha Gheen Hamilton and Claude Edwin Hamilton, Sr. A graduate of East Rowan High School, Claude was Student Body President, Senior Class Favorite, football player, and Homecoming King when Sandy was Queen.  (Could that have been a prediction they would end up together?)

Claude attended North Carolina State University on a four-year Cannon Scholarship as a textile chemistry major.  Working in a lab as a chemist certainly was not his calling!  Claude found his successful future in sales with Regal Textiles in New York City.  He later went with M. Lowenstein and Sons as National Sales Manager.

On March 1, 1969, Claude married the love of his life, Sandy Nash. They lived in Atlanta until he was transferred back to New York City.  After five years, they moved to Charlotte where he started his firm, Hamilton Sales, Inc.  Claude loved working.  He was genuine, loyal, and always went the extra mile for everyone.

Claude served on the Board of Advisors of Charlotte Concerts.  With Sandy, he was Honorary Co-Chair of Charlotte Concerts 2019 Gala.  He considered his being President of Whitehall Homeowners Association an extraordinary opportunity to get to know his Whitehall neighbors.  Claude was a member of Myers Park Country Club.

Claude’s generosity was overwhelming.  He continuously provided scholarships at different universities for students in need.  Claude supported any non-profit organization that fed people…and all the organizations in which Sandy was involved. Claude never met a stranger:  He made everyone feel welcomed and loved.  Claude always went “above and beyond”.

Family came first!  He loved Ashley and all of Ashley’s activities when she was growing up.  Claude adored his grandson Justin and affectionately called him “Little Buddy”. “Papa” (Justin’s name for his beloved grandfather) took pure pleasure and great pride in accompanying Justin to soccer games, on camping trips, and other fun “boy stuff”. Whatever the activity, Claude was the oldest in age but the youngest in heart.

Claude loved traveling the world with Sandy, trips with Ashley and Justin, his “feeshon” trips from the Outer Banks to Canada with the prized trophy dinners, his real cowboy horseback trip in New Mexico, Myrtle Beach, Hound Ears, Saturday morning breakfasts, skiing, scuba diving, some golf, watching old Western movies, reading (especially history), grilling out, and hosting anything at home.  Later in life, Claude added ballroom dancing:  This gave him the chance to really “show off”!

Claude is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sandy, his daughter, Ashley Henderson and husband Dave, his grandson, Justin Speizman his sisters, Peggy Barry and husband Mike and Virginia Carlton, his nephews, Col. John Barry and wife Susan, and Sam Carlton and wife Mel, and niece Kathy Barry.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his younger brother, Tommy Wayne Hamilton; and nephew, Edward Carlton III. 

Sandy, Ashley, and Justin extend their heartfelt THANKS to Claude’s friends and family who are always there with love and support.  Thanks also to Angels Hands Home Health for their wonderful care during the last three months and to the amazing staff at Atrium Main MICU1.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 2:00 PM, Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Myers Park Presbyterian Church, 2501 Oxford Place, Charlotte, NC. Claude’s family will receive friends in Oxford Hall following the service. The service will also be livestreamed via www.myersparkpres.org/live.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to Loaves and Fishes, P. O. Box 680791, Charlotte, N.C. 28216; Carolina Breast Friends, 1607 East Morehead Street, Charlotte, N.C. 28207; or Myers Park Presbyterian Church Outreach Programs, 2501 Oxford Place, Charlotte, N.C. 28207.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.