Submitted by his wife
Barvon Coy Hamilton‚ a member of the Southern Oaks Volunteer Fire Department‚ St. Elmo Community‚ Freestone County‚ Texas‚ died August 1‚ 1998 at the age of 71 while actively fighting a grass fire in Streetman‚ Texas.
Barvon was a member of the SOVFD almost since its inception in 1988‚ serving as treasurer for many terms. He was the most senior member of the fire department at the time of his death.
During World War II‚ Barvon served in the United States Navy. He retired after 30-plus years with the U.S. Department of Agriculture‚ Grain Division. Barvon also served as a volunteer for the local water co-op.
Barvon was a music leader with Community Methodist Church‚ a member of First Methodist Church‚ Fairfield‚ Texas‚ and an active member of the choir. He worked with other churches in the community and loved helping friends and neighbors. His favorite pasttime‚ in addition to his family‚ was playing golf.
Barvon and I celebrated our 52nd wedding anniversary on July 18‚ 1998.
I will be running to honor the memory of this Navy veteran as part of the Inaugural Run to Remember: 5K Anytime, Anywhere in his honor on March 12 2016 in Winnsboro Texas with my family.
– John Barrett