News Summary
Dr. Frederick James Hamilton, a respected orthopedic surgeon, passed away at the age of 80. With a career dedicated to medicine and the community, he is remembered for his contributions, leadership, and commitment to healthcare. Dr. Hamilton was a proud member of both the Rose Bowl Championship Football Team and the Boy Scouts, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. A memorial service will be held to honor his life and contributions.
Florence, South Carolina – Dr. Frederick James Hamilton, a highly respected orthopedic surgeon, passed away on June 27, 2025, at the age of 80 after an extended illness. His contributions to the medical field and the community will be remembered by many.
Born on March 6, 1945, in Linden, Michigan, Dr. Hamilton was the son of Dr. Stanley Hamilton and Ruth Hamilton. He is survived by his wife, Carla Baxley Hamilton, and their three children: Harrison Alexander Hamilton, Alexandra Shelby Hamilton, and Mason Theodore Stanley Hamilton, all of whom were born in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He was previously married to Linda Hamilton Root and had three children from that marriage: Jonathan Hamilton of Michigan, Jennifer Hamilton Pawlak of Indiana, and Christine Hamilton Blake of Tennessee.
Throughout his career, Dr. Hamilton made significant contributions to orthopedic medicine, working in Flint, Michigan, before relocating to South Carolina. He practiced at various medical facilities, including Loris & Seacoast Orthopaedics, McLeod Orthopaedics Seacoast, River Hills Orthopaedics, and MUSC Marion Orthopaedics. In addition to his clinical work, he served on multiple hospital boards, illustrating his commitment to healthcare.
Dr. Hamilton earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University, where he was actively involved in athletics, playing on both the basketball and football teams. He was a proud member of the 1967 Rose Bowl Championship Football Team and later graduated with a Doctor of Osteopathy from the University of Health Sciences in Kansas City, Missouri.
In addition to his medical career, Dr. Hamilton was known for his writing. He contributed a weekly column to the Tabor-Loris Tribune and served as a columnist for the Myrtle Beach Sun News, where he shared his insights and experiences with a wider audience.
A committed community member, Dr. Hamilton held various leadership roles throughout his life. He served as the Chief of the NCAA Drug Testing Crew from 1983 to 1987 and was the Vice President of the Linden Community Schools Board of Education during the same time frame. His dedication to service was complemented by his involvement in several Presbyterian churches, including Linden Presbyterian Church from 1963 until 1994, Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church from 2000 to 2005, and Myrtle Beach Presbyterian Church from 2005 until his passing.
Dr. Hamilton was an esteemed member of the Boy Scouts of America, having achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in his youth, and his legacy as an Eagle Scout has been followed by two of his younger sons, Harrison and Mason. He is remembered by family members, including his grandchildren: Broderick Richards of Tennessee, William Hamilton and Tait Shaltz of Michigan, and Jessica Pawlak and Ryan Pawlak of Indiana. He is also survived by his niece, Lori Melton, his nephew, David Hamilton, and his great-nephew, Isaac Melton, all of whom live in Michigan.
A memorial service to honor Dr. Hamilton’s life and contributions is scheduled for July 6, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Lee Funeral Home in Little River, South Carolina. Following the service, he will be laid to rest beside his parents and brothers at Fairview Cemetery in Linden, Michigan, commemorating his legacy in both his professional and personal life.
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Additional Resources
- Dignity Memorial: Frederick Hamilton
- Wikipedia: Orthopedic Surgery
- Goldfinch Funeral Home: Fred Hamilton
- Google Search: Dr Frederick James Hamilton
- Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors: Frederick Kuhlke
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Medical Profession
- Pegues Funeral Home: Dr. Jimmy Hamilton
- Google News: Dr Frederick James Hamilton
- Robinson Funeral Homes: Fred Hamilton
- Google Scholar: Orthopedic Surgeon
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
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