It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of James Samuel Hamill on November 25, 2025, due to complications from Parkinson's Disease combined with Bulbar ALS. He was 86.

James was born on March 19, 1939, to Ephriam James Hamill, Sr. and Rosa Hill Hamill. He was the youngest of their five children. He was born and raised in Hixson, TN. James attended Hixson schools and graduated from Hixson High School in 1957. He was a lifelong resident of Hamilton County, Tennessee, spending the majority of his life on cherished family property.

James was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving with the 53rd Military Police Company and achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. His work history was eclectic, including processing meat with Benton's Meat Packing House,  working on a tug boat for Central Soya along the Tennessee River and working at Red Food Grocery Store as a butcher. These were all prior to joining the Chattanooga Police Department in 1968 where he found his calling.

James spent the next 25 years with the police department, rising to the rank of Sergeant. In December of 1974, when he was a patrolman, James saved the life of a woman who had jumped into the Tennessee River. He received the Chattanooga Area Safety Council's Certificate of Commendation for his actions. He later became a Burglary and Robbery Detective, a position he held until his retirement in 1993.

He spent many hours on his 1959 John Deere 430 ("Poppin' John") farm tractor, tending to the property. He always planted huge vegetable gardens, starting his plants from seed. When James was a young man, he had his own race car (#23) that he raced at the local dirt tracks. James was an avid auto racing fan, translating that racing enthusiasm into spending every weekend after he retired watching various racing events on TV.

During the 1980s, James built a house for his family. He had no blueprints, just sketches, a tape-measure, and pen & paper to figure out the measurements and materials he needed. With the help of close friends, he literally built the house he and his family would live in for the remainder of his life. The house was built on the footprint of his childhood home.

James leaves behind his beloved wife of 46 years, Susan ("Sue") Barrows Hamill, and his two cherished sons, Justin James Hamill and Preston Thomas Hamill. He is also survived by nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his four older siblings: E.J. Hamill, Jr., R.W. Hamill, Cleo Poe, and Nellie Burns. He was also predeceased by a number of dear friends, among them Frank Vandergriff and Sgt. James "Spooky" Jackson. His favorite pet dog, "Trouble," met James at the Rainbow Bridge as he arrived in Heaven. James was a Christian, favoring the Baptist denomination. While we'll miss him here, we look forward to eventually reuniting with him in Heaven.

A private funeral service was held on December 8, 2025, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Hixson. Burial took place at Forest Hills Cemetery.

We wish to extend many thanks to the Chattanooga Police Department for their participation in the service by providing the honor guard and the escort to the cemetery. We also want to thank the U.S. Army for rendering honors at the cemetery.

Thanks are also in order for Dr. Susan Bhushan and Brandy for their loving care in the months prior to James' passing as well as the staff of Adoration Home Health & Hospice for their compassionate care and attention toward James in his final hours.

Memorial contributions can be made to either the Humane Educational Society (4155 Randolph Cir., Chattanooga, TN 37406) or the McKamey Animal Center (4500 N. Access Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37415).

Arrangements are by the Hamilton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343, (423) 531-3975.