James G. Hamill

James Gail Hamill was born in Oklahoma City, OK, on March 28, 1929, to Claude Dan Hamill and May Killough Hamill, their fifth and last child. He attended Lee School, Capitol Hill Junior High, and graduated from Capitol Hill High School in 1947. Then he attended Oklahoma A & M College on an athletic scholarship as a student trainer and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing in August, 1950.During 1951-1952 he participated in combat operations as a Lieutenant with the 1st Marine Division in Korea. He remained in the Marine Reserves upon release from active duty, and many years later retired as a Colonel. He was a Charter Member of the United States Marine Corps Coordinating Council for Oklahoma. On September 19, 1953, Jim married Dorothy Ann Jones at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, in Oklahoma City, OK. They were active members of the Wedding Ring Sunday School Class at St. Luke's since its inception in 1955. In 1955, Jim passed the Oklahoma Bar Examination, graduated from the University of Oklahoma School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree and was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Oklahoma. Thereafter he was admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, U.S Court of Claims, U.S. Court of Military Appeals, and the Supreme Court of the United States.Jim and his wife Dorothy of 67 years, were long time residents of Windsor Hills neighborhood. Their daughters grew up in the church at St. Luke's. Jim and Dorothy were world travelers, first visiting Europe in 1976, and then visiting 48 countries over the next few decades. Jim enjoyed world history, and Dorothy enjoys art, so their many trips throughout the world were a source of enjoyment for both of them.For almost four years Jim was an Attorney for the Department of Public Safety before joining the Office of the Municipal Counselor for The City of Oklahoma City. He served The City in various capacities as a lawyer for 34 years, as a trial lawyer, liaison to the Oklahoma Legislature, and special counsel, before retiring from The City as Municipal Counselor in 1995. Jim and Dorothy resumed their hobby of traveling to exotic locations in Europe, the Holy Land, South America, and China. Then he returned to private practice and associated with Joe S. Rolston III, until Jim's retirement from the active practice of law in 2007. Jim was a speaker for 40 years at conferences of the Oklahoma Association of Municipal Attorneys, and he was a mentor to many.In 2009, Jim was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame for City and Town Officials. In 2014, Jim received an Appreciation Award for Korean War Veterans from the Korean Veteran Association, Southern Chapter, USA. He was a regular attendee of the Kerr-Bradley Breakfast group. During his lifetime Jim donated over 12 gallons of blood to the Oklahoma Blood Institute. He was a season ticket holder over several decades for football games at OSU.Jim is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Mona Pauline and Lois Hamill, and his two brothers, Dan Hamill, and Tom Hamill. Survivors include Dorothy, his wife of 67 years; two daughters, Susan Kerlin and Gail Hamill; two grandsons, John Kerlin and Robert Kerlin; and three generations of nieces and nephews.Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, November 5th, at Smith Kernke, 14624 N. May. A memorial service will be held at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 222 NW 15th, on Friday, November 6th, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Luke's, to Oklahoma State University Foundation, or to the charity of the donor's choice.