In Memory of Coach Greg

Dear Barracuda Family....

I have just now been able to sit down and write about Greg's passing. There is an empty space in our hearts that will never be filled again. The only thing that has given us any peace and comfort in this time of despair is the warmth and friendship you have provided for our family. Greg LOVED the Barracudas.

When we met, I was the Aquatic and Membership Director at the Shades Valley YMCA and he was coaching with the Barracudas. He talked often and passionately about the kids and the team. Once our family came together, our kids activities took us away from you for awhile, however, he returned to you with the drive, determination, persistence and EXCITEMENT we all know he had for swimming.

The kids and I miss him so much and I know you do too. I know in my heart he wants us to go on and keep up with the activities that we were in. That was our life. Passing each other driving down the road talking on our 2 way radios and transporting kids. The older boys will be wrestling for Stanhope for the next couple of months, and the little guys for Prattville. However, Leanna wants to start swimming with you guys and wanted to come yesterday. She will start next week.

Words cannot express to all of you how much we appreciate all of you, the kids included, have done for us. The reaction to Greg's death was a testimony to how he lived his life. Joe put it perfectly in his words. Greg loved coaching and Greg loved his family and you all are a part of that.

From my heart, I express thanks from the Hamilton's

Carol

In Memory Of Coach Greg 1962 - 2007

	Greg Hamilton had been coaching within the Montgomery YMCA association since 2000 when he was an assistant coach with the Barracudas. He was an assistant coach for the Wetumpka YMCA summer league team for two years. He coached the Grandview YMCA summer league team for the past two years. Over the past two summers, the Grandview Gators had grown from just under two dozen swimmers to a roster of over 40 swimmers, and the team placed 3rd and 2nd respectively in the twelve-team summer championships in 2005 and 2006. He started swimming competitively as an age group swimmer and swam through high school. Greg competed in 2000 and 2001 with the Montgomery YMCA Masters Swim Team. He has seven kids, six of them swam during the summer with the Grandview Gators and three of them currently swim with the Barracudas. Greg absolutely loved coaching kids and believed swimming, more so than any other sport, teaches children how to apply a healthy work ethic to anything they feel is worthwhile now and later in life. Coach Gregory Kyle Hamilton, age 45, a resident of Deatsville, AL, passed away on Monday, November 5, 2007 at a local hospital. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 10, 2007 at 11 a.m. from the chapel of Brookside Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Mozingo officiating. Greg was a loving son, husband and father. Greg is survived by his wife, Carol C. Hamilton of Deatsville, AL; daughter, Leanna Hamilton; sons, Ethan Hamilton, Elliott Hamilton, Dylan Gordon Hamilton, Will Gordon Hamilton, Jackson Gordon Hamilton, and Gregory Kyle Hamilton, Jr., all of Deatsville, AL; parents, Lowell & Sara Hamilton of Leesburg, AL; brothers, Mark Hamilton (Elizabeth ) of Birmingham, AL, Keith Hamilton (Amy) of Birmingham, AL; grandmother, Ethel Hamilton of Memphis, TN; mother-in-law, Margean Cummings of Birmingham, AL; aunts, uncles, niece & nephews, cousins and friends. Pallbearers will be his lifetime friends. The family asking lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Greg Hamilton Family Fund (#35118039) at Compass Bank Riverchase Banking Center, 1789 Montgomery Highway, Birmingham, AL. 35244, attn: Brenda Bole 205- 297- 3510. Dear Barracuda Family.... I have just now been able to sit down and write about Greg's passing. There is an empty space in our hearts that will never be filled again. The only thing that has given us any peace and comfort in this time of despair is the warmth and friendship you have provided for our family. Greg LOVED the Barracudas. When we met, I was the Aquatic and Membership Director at the Shades Valley YMCA and he was coaching with the Barracudas. He talked often and passionately about the kids and the team. Once our family came together, our kids activities took us away from you for awhile, however, he returned to you with the drive, determination, persistence and EXCITEMENT we all know he had for swimming. The kids and I miss him so much and I know you do too. I know in my heart he wants us to go on and keep up with the activities that we were in. That was our life. Passing each other driving down the road talking on our 2 way radios and transporting kids. The older boys will be wrestling for Stanhope for the next couple of months, and the little guys for Prattville. However, Leanna wants to start swimming with you guys and wanted to come yesterday. She will start next week. Words cannot express to all of you how much we appreciate all of you, the kids included, have done for us. The reaction to Greg's death was a testimony to how he lived his life. Joe put it perfectly in his words. Greg loved coaching and Greg loved his family and you all are a part of that. From my heart, I express thanks from the Hamilton's Carol