Cleo Hamilton, known to many as “Oak”, age 91 of Milford, Ohio, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2022 at Glendale Place Nursing Center, Cincinnati, OH.  He was born to the union of the late Cleo H. Hamilton, Sr and Helen Hamilton on August 14, 1930 in Wilmington, Ohio (Clinton County).

Oak was baptized at the age of 7 by the late Rev. Joseph J. Burr at the Second Baptist Church in Wilmington, Ohio.

In 1948 Oak Graduated from Wilmington High School, shortly after graduation he enlisted in the Army, he was a PFC during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1952. He also retired from the Food and Drug Administration, Cincinnati, OH in 1985.

While at Wilmington, he played several sports including football, basketball, baseball, and track and field.  He set a lot of football and track and field records in high school and was later inducted into the Clinton County Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. 

On August 28, 1954, Oak was joined in marriage to his soulmate, Elsie M. (Ventus) Hamilton, in a union that was meant to be. The couple shared 67 blessed years’ together and had five children 3 boys and 2 girls..

Oak Joined Ebenezer Baptist Church in 1957 and served on several ministries and was still an active Usher until his health began to fail.

He was truly a remarkable man who touched the lives of many. He was a caring and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, cousin, uncle and friend to many.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Cleo H. Hamilton, Sr and Helen R. Hamilton; 5 brothers, Walter (Pie)(Mattie) Hamilton, Charles (Chick) (Mabel) Hamilton, Howard L(Bubby)(Connie)Hamilton, Harold Hamilton, Norman (Ruby) Hamilton; 2 sisters, Vivian (Harold) Hamilton, Loretta (James) Mills. 

He is survived by his loving wife Elsie M. Ventus Hamilton, 3 sons, Dean Hamilton, Jeffrey (Carol) Hamilton, Clifton Hamilton; 2 daughters, Pauline Butler, Darlene Hamilton; 11 grandchildren: Sonya Goggins, Jordan Hamilton, Natasha Patton, Joel Stone, Tyler Stone, Kyna (Malcolm) Wells, Jeremy (Rothmonie) Hamilton, Brandon Hamilton, David Hamilton, Quinlan Butler, Jourdan Butler; 10 great grandchildren, Alexis Hamilton, JaSani Hamilton, Zari Hamilton, Sophia Hamilton, Simone Goggins, Saleah Goggins, Chris Goggins, Jr, Tyaijah Thompson, Ricky Thompson, Jr, Xoe Butler;2 great-great grandchildren, Avery Mack, Alaiya Bryant; one sister, LeGene (Hubert) Cordell, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.