We are saddened to announce the passing of our sweet dad, Carl Porter Hamilton, on June 10, 2024. Porter was born May 30, 1940, in Galt, Missouri. He was the third-born child of Lora Lou (Laughlin) and Ralph Howard Hamilton. Porter grew up in Hamburg, Iowa, graduating from Hamburg High School. Porter later graduated from the University of Iowa, where he earned his dental degree.
Porter met Danielle (“Danne”) Dee Davis at a sorority/fraternity function, he of Phi Delta Theta and she of Gamma Phi Beta, and they were soon inseparable, joining in marriage on April 23, 1960. Porter convinced Danne to marry him within months of meeting by claiming he needed to have significant dates in his life occur in years ending in zero so he could always calculate the number of years on anniversaries. They moved to Portsmouth, Virginia, soon after dental school graduation, where Porter served in the Navy Reserve until 1967.
Porter enjoyed life to the fullest, and he was adored by his dental patients and office staff during his 54-year career, most of it in Newton, Iowa. He loved practicing dentistry; Danne liked to say if he practiced long enough, he might become perfect. Porter was a long-term member of Rotary International and thought of himself as an adventurer and traveler. He and Danne loved traveling to different countries and meeting people of varied cultures. Aptly named “Hamilton,” Porter was quite a ham, and he starred in local Newton Community Theater productions as Jud Fry in “Oklahoma;” Mayor Shinn in “The Music Man;” Captain Von Trapp in “The Sound of Music;” and Dr. Julian Winston in “Cactus Flower.” He also sang in the choir at First Presbyterian Church in Newton, Iowa. He frequently regaled his family and friends with his renditions of Johnny Cash tunes on his guitar. He was proud to claim his status as one of the earliest regular attendees and supporters of the gourmet dinners presented by the Iowa Culinary Institute at Des Moines Area Community College. He fancied himself an amateur gourmet chef, and he and Danne hosted many, many memorable parties during their 59-year marriage in Newton and their cottage in Okoboji.
After Danne’s death, Porter moved to Scottish Rite Park in Des Moines, Iowa, where he met a host of new friends. He became known throughout the community within hours of moving in and made a point of engaging in as many community activities as he could fit into a day. He also enjoyed spending time there with his special friend, Peggy Maxwell.
Porter and Danne experienced many adventures over their years together, including the birth of their daughter, Kristin Hamilton Johnson (Eric), Clive, Iowa; son, Randall Hamilton (Bruce Hughes), Des Moines, Iowa; and daughter Rebecca Hamilton Furlong (Michael), Leawood, Kansas. Porter was a proud grandfather to grandsons Scott Hamilton Johnson, Washington, D.C.; Matthew Carl Johnson, Greencastle, Indiana; Todd Davis Johnson, North Liberty, Iowa; Porter Dugan Furlong, Leawood, Kansas; granddaughters, Caitrin Rae (Furlong) Karlin (Lucas), Prairie Village, Kansas; and Sidney Danielle Furlong, New York, New York. He is also survived by his brother, Philip Hamilton, of Overland Park, Kansas. He was preceded in death by Danne, his parents, and his sister, Delores Elaine Walker.
A service and reception honoring Porter’s memory will be held on Friday, June 28, at 10:00 am, at Central Presbyterian Church in Des Moines, Iowa.
Porter’s family thanks the caregivers and staff at Suncrest Hospice and Home Instead for helping provide comfort in Porter’s last days. We are sure they would attest to his meticulous organization and attention to detail. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Porter to the Iowa Culinary Institute and Glioblastoma Research Organization (gbmresearch.org).
ILES-DUNN’S CHAPEL
