Page 16 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2017- Online Magazine

Owen Hamilton

By Pat Johnston

"So much has been given me, I have not time to ponder

over that which has been denied." - Helen Keller

his quote can be found in the preface of Owen When he completed his service to his country,
Hamilton’s memoirs and perfectly describes Owen and his family returned to Lubbock to begin
Thow he views his life. Charles Owen Hamilton his business career. He joined his father in the family
was born on January 30, 1931 in Fort Worth, Texas to business, Hamilton Roofing. His first project was
Doris Maude Owen and Charles Holloway “Brownie” overseeing the roof for the new educational building of
Hamilton. His parents moved to Lubbock in 1932 for a the First United Methodist Church, where he and Lucy
job opportunity, arriving in a Model A Ford. Brownie were members. Owen and Lucy began their many
eventually founded Hamilton Roofing Company years of church service by sponsoring the College Class.
which he grew into a well-known and respected They joined the HI Robinson Sunday school class
business throughout Texas and New Mexico. He where Owen continues as an active member. Owen and
believed in service to God and church, to family and Lucy were a great team and served together in every
to the community. Brownie and Doris joined the First aspect of the church. Over the years, Owen served as
Methodist Church where they raised their son and Chairman of the Finance Commission, the Education
daughter and were loyal members until their deaths. Commission, the Evangelism Commission and the
Owen Hamilton attended Dupre Elementary and Administrative Board. He has also served as a delegate
Lubbock Junior High School. He fondly remembers to many United Methodist Annual Conferences.
riding a Cushman motor scooter to school. Owen Owen served as President of Hamilton Roofing
recalls milk being delivered every morning to their Company and Hamilton Acoustical Company from
front door by a horse-drawn wagon, as motorized 1955 until 1998. The Company has a long history in
vehicles were not available until the war ended. Owen Lubbock construction projects. Following the May 11,
attended Lubbock High school, graduating in 1948. 1970 tornado, Hamilton Roofing was hired to put a new
While in high school, a new family moved to town roof on the Lubbock Coliseum. The national roofing
from the Chicago area. They had a beautiful daughter, magazine, RSI, sent a reporter to Lubbock to do a story
Lucy Ann West. The first date Owen ever had was with on the project, complete with pictures and a front
Lucy and he never dated anyone else. They shared page cover with the caption “Roughriding on the Red
many cokes at the Hi-D-Ho Drive-In after church. Raiders’ Roof”. Owen received calls from all over the
She was the love of his life. Owen enrolled in Texas United States with questions about roofing the elliptical
Technological College and he and Lucy were married shaped dome. Other projects included more buildings
in 1951. He graduated from Tech in 1953 earning a at Texas Tech, LCU, South Plains Mall, Methodist
Bachelor of Architecture degree with a specialization in Hospital and St. Mary Hospital to name just a few.
design. He still loves all things Texas Tech. Owen once said that he has been on nearly every
Having served in the Tech ROTC program, Owen roof in Lubbock at one time or another. He sold the
entered military service as a First Lieutenant in the company in 1998. Owen had a wonderful career and
United States Air Force. He served from 1953 to was known for the ethical way he operated his business
1955 as a Staff Installation Officer for the Air Force and the respect he showed those he worked with and
Special Weapons Center at Kirtland Air Force Base in those he worked for.
Albuquerque, New Mexico. Following in his father’s footsteps, Owen has

16 Lubbock Senior Link