KUSA – The Colorado Rockies community was stunned and saddened by the death of former outfielder Darryl Hamilton.
Hamilton, 50, was killed June 21 in a murder-suicide in his Pearland, Texas home near Houston.
The MLB released his official obituary Saturday, posted in its entirety below:
A resident of Houston, TX since 1986 entered into his eternal life June 21, 2015. Darryl Quinn Hamilton was born December 5, 1964 in Baton Rouge, LA, the youngest of three children born to John and Geraldine Hamilton. After graduating from University High in 1982, Darryl attended Nicholls State University, where he made the baseball team as a non-scholarship athlete. This was quite an accomplishment given the fact that he did not play high school baseball. At Nicholls, Darryl was an All-American, stole 140 bases, scored 193 runs, and in 1985, batted a career-high .379. In 1986, Darryl was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers and quickly moved through the minor leagues culminating with his call-up to the majors in 1988 by Milwaukee. He went on to play 13 seasons with Milwaukee, Texas, San Francisco, Colorado and the New York Mets. In 1,328 big-league games, he had a .291 career average with 1,333 hits and 454 RBIs. In addition, he had a career fielding percentage of .995 with only 14 errors in 2,770 defensive chances. He established himself as a quiet, unassuming player who possessed a great work ethic.
He is a member of University High and Nicholls State University's Hall of Fame. In addition, he is a member of the State of Louisiana's Hall of Fame and the Milwaukee Brewers' Wall of Honor.
Following his retirement as a active player, Darryl served as an analyst on Compass Media Network's radio broadcasts for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, NBC Sports Network's "SportsTalk" and KPRC (NBC) Houston, as well as MLB.com from 2003-2006. Darryl also worked in the On-Field Operations department for the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball. Since 2013, he served as an Analyst for MLB Network.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Ezekiel and Lela Pitts; his paternal grandparents, James and Celestine Hamilton. He leaves to celebrate his life, cherish his memory and live his legacy – His mother Geraldine Pitts Hamilton, his father John C. Hamilton, Sr. wife Carolyn Hamilton; three sons, Donovan Quinn Hamilton, Julian Patrick Hamilton and Jaxon Cameron Hamilton; His sister Adrian Hamilton, His brother John C. Hamilton, Jr. wife Gina M. Hamilton; a nephew Simon L. Hamilton; a niece Lela T. Hamilton, a great aunt Ella Pitts, an aunt Irma Montgomery husband Nathaniel Montgomery, two uncles, Warren Pitts, Sr. wife Mary Pitts and Alfred Hamilton, a sister-in-law Angeline Belmontes, his former wife, Ursaline Hamilton and a host of loving cousins and special friends.
Visitation will begin on Monday, June 29, 2015 from 7:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. in the Hunters Creek Chapel at Earthman Funeral Directors, 8303 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77024. Funeral services will follow on Monday, June 29, 2015 at 11:00 am in the Sanctuary of Second Baptist Church Houston, 6400 Woodway Drive, Houston, Texas 77057, with a reception to follow in The Deacon's Parlor. A private service will be in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Tuesday at his childhood church Greater Greene Chapel A.M.E.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Darryl Q. Hamilton Memorial Fund for the benefit of his sons. Direct contributions to BBVA Compass c/o Karen Dixon/Anne O'Conor, 2200 Post Oak Blvd, Suite 1900, Houston, Texas 77056.
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