Johnnie Audry Hamilton

August 1, 1931 – January 9, 2026

Johnnie Audry Hamilton of Jayton, Texas, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2026, at the age of 94. Born in Jayton to Johnnie Hamilton Sr. and Eunice (Ward) Hamilton, Johnnie lived a life full of creativity, generosity, and devotion to family and community.

On February 4, 1961, he married his beloved wife, Katherine (Burrow) Hamilton, in Dalhart, Texas, and together they built a lifetime of love and cherished memories.

Johnnie is survived by his children: Mark Hamilton and wife LaDonyce of Coldspring, Texas; Bobby Hamilton and wife Carolyn of Carrollton, Texas; and Randy Hamilton and wife Shanna of Amarillo, Texas. He also leaves behind his brother Oran Hamilton, sisters Lou Polk and Betty Smith, seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren with one on the way, and his devoted wife, Katherine.

A man of many talents, Johnnie’s primary occupation revolved around farming and ranching as a cotton farmer near McAdoo for over two decades before acquiring a crop insurance agency that he operated with Katherine until his retirement.  He was a longtime member of the Masonic Lodge and a faithful Baptist. As a proud veteran, Johnnie served in the United States Air Force where he was eventually stationed in France.

Upon retirement, Johnnie followed his artist talents and creativity to keep busy.  He started painting landscape scenes with oil and watercolor paints, then turned to woodturning where he mastered the art of creating complex segmented bowls on his lathe.  Looking for more challenges; he moved on to hand carving where he meticulously carved birds to the level of detail where every feather could be seen.  His bird carvings won numerous awards with the Texas Wood Carvers Guild and Lubbock Wood Carvers Guild.  Later in life he joined Katherine in quilting where the two of them would travel the country to attend a quilt show or find the next best quilt store in search of fabric.  Over the years, Johnnie crafted and sewed more than 170 quilts that he donated to “Quilts for Kids”.   The birth of every great-grandchild was celebrated with their own handmade quit.

Most of all, Johnnie loved caring for his family and friends.  He was proud of the fact that he was able to attend the high school and college graduation for all his grandchildren. His kindness, generosity, and humor touched everyone who knew him. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the First Baptist Church in Jayton, Texas, with interment to follow at Jayton Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Zapata Funeral Home.

Johnnie Audry Hamilton will be remembered not just for his skills and accomplishments, but for the warmth, love, and laughter he shared with all who knew him.