HAMILTON, Charles Edward (Choc)

Kingman Daily Miner, Kingman, AZ - Published on November 1, 2012 - Charles E. "Choc" Hamilton, 98, died Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, with his family at his side. Choc was born in Bengal, Okla., on Aug. 18, 1914, one of 11 children of Craig and Emma (Cowan) Hamilton. Choc came to Arizona in 1930 at the height of the Depression, settling in the Gila Valley. He did anything he could to help his family, working for the CCC and picking cotton. After a few years, he made the move to the Kingman area. Choc worked on the original road to Hoover Dam while it was under construction. He also worked at the Kingman railhead, off-loading the steel and generators to be trucked to the Bullhead City area for building Davis Dam. Choc was also a rancher and cowboy. He roped calves and then roped in many professional rodeos, winning the prestigious Phoenix and the Prescott Pro Rodeos several times. He also qualified for the first team roping National Finals Rodeo. He was a Union (Local 75) Ironworker for 27 years, and was very proud of the work he did, walking the iron hundreds of feet in the air, but he was most proud of being a cowboy and a roper. He told many stories of rounding up cattle and riding half-broke horses. Choc also loved country music, dancing and singing, and had a very good voice. Choc married Mary Guess and they had two children: Bill, a surviving son, and Robert, who died in infancy. After Mary's death, he married Florine Hart in 1971, a happy marriage of 41 years, ending only with his death. They lived near Chloride for many years before moving to Kingman. Choc was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, except one sister; his first wife; and his son, Robert. He is survived by his wife, Florine; son, Bill; grandchildren, Brenda Stockbridge (Kevin), Craig Hamilton (Maria), Ann Marie Hamilton and Mary Belle Whatley; great-grandchildren, Sharon and K.C. Stockbridge, Chase and Boone Hamilton, and two others in Texas; his sister, Edna; and many nieces and nephews. Special thanks to Dorene for her kindness in caring for him. Services will be at 11 a.m., Monday, Nov. 5, at Sutton Memorial Funeral Home, 1701 Sycamore Ave.