Dean Russell Hamilton, age 78, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on May 30, 2021.  He was born January 15, 1943 to Donald and Lucy (Martinson) Hamilton in Bellingham, WA.  Dean grew up in Whatcom County graduating from Mount Baker High School in 1961.  He married his high school sweetheart, DeEtta Needham on September 21, 1962; they made their first home and started their family in Bellingham WA.

Dean worked as a long haul truck driver.  In 1977, they moved to Skagit County and in 1978, Dean and his brother, Denny started Hamilton Brother's Logging, until their retirement in 1988.  Then in 1996, he started Advanced Septic Treatment Systems Inc, with his longtime friend John Tucker.

Finally in 2010, he retired again and started tinkering in his wood shop becoming very skilled at making planters, furniture, wishing wells etc. for family and friends.  Then Dean went back to his roots of logging and started building log trucks, skidders, towers (anything to do with logging, Dean was building out of wood.)  Dean took pride in the love he had for his wife, children and grandchildren; he was a family man.  He loved his dog Tigger, Skipbo, country music and spending time with his family. He was a caring and compassionate man and was loved by all who knew him.

Dean is survived by his wife of 58 years, De Etta Hamilton; children, Cary (Halee) Hamilton, Kevin (Denise) Hamilton, Kim Chapman, Deana (Rodney) Cook and Shane (Trish) Hamilton; grandchildren, Calvin, Braelyn, Taylen, Rylan, Matt, Kaylene, Kassie, Kyle, Kayla, Travis, Kolten, Kylie, Colton, Brenton, Cody, Kytel, Fawntana and Keizer; 13 great grandchildren and one great great grandson; sisters, Darlene, Diane, Dixie, Donna, Doreen and brother, Donald Jr.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Lucy; brothers, David and Denny; brother in laws, Cliff Russell, Jack Little, Jerry Brooks and Marc Van Ditto; nephew, Rick Hamilton; son in law, Ian Chapman.

A Celebration of Life will be held June 20, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at the Deming Log Show Grounds, 3295 Cedarville Road, Bellingham, WA (Deming).  Please share your memories of Dean and sign the online guest register.