Ross Martin Hamilton, 81

Ross Martin Hamilton, 81 of Friendship, died Friday May 24, 2013 at Bridgeport Health Care Center. He was born February 4, 1932 in Scioto County to the late Harry Estel and Mary Marie Coburn Hamilton. Ross was a truck driver for Gilbert Grocery Co., Midland Grocery Co. and retired from Hurt Candy Company. He was a member of the Teamsters, the Chillicothe Stock Car Racing Association, NASCAR and the Carey's Run Church of Christ. Ross liked to drive race cars. He was a very successful and popular local race car driver in the 50's and 60's with many wins. He won 19 out of 20 starts at the old Portsmouth Speedway in 1960. Along with his parents Ross was preceded in death by a brother William Roy Hamilton a sister, Juanita Hamilton and a grandson Ross Martin Hamilton III.

Ross is survived by his wife Ruby Jean Whaley Hamilton, 3 sons; Ross M. (Elizabeth) Hamilton Jr of West Portsmouth, Michael William (Kathy) Hamilton of Columbus and Barton Randall Hamilton of Wheelersburg, 1 daughter Tina Michelle (Joe) Hickerson of Minford, 11 grandchildren; Chris (Alison) Hamilton, Amy Hamilton, Haley Jo Hickerson, Chad Sapp, Rhonda (Rob) Boyer, Michael (Donna) Hamilton, Brian (Kellie) Davis, Jason (Nicki) Davis, Angela Saunders, Erica (Zack) LaFontaine and Caleb Hickerson, 10 great grandchildren and his pet pal "Intimidator".

Funeral services will be 1:00 PM Tuesday May 28, 2013 at the Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth with Denny Dawes officiating and interment in Friendship Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 6 to 8:00 PM on Monday and 1 hour prior to the service on Tuesday. Condolences may be sent to www.rogerwdavisfuneralhome.com