MARSHALL HAMILTON
June 5, 1943-Dec. 5, 2007
RALEIGH -- Marshall Hamilton, 64, died Wednesday at his home following a courageous battle with lung cancer. At the time of Marshall's death, his loving family surrounded him. Mar-shall was born with his twin sister, Nancy, in Washington, D.C., to Alvie and Eva Hamilton. He attended Wilmington College on a basketball grant and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education and a minor in Biology. Highlights of his vast career include coaching at Southern Wayne High School in Goldsboro, Broughton High School in Raleigh where he eventually served as both athletic director and head basketball coach, and Leesville Road High School in Raleigh, which he joined in 1993 as the school's first athletic director.
Marshall is survived by his devoted wife, Ann Carter Pupa Hamilton; loving sons, Nicholas Pupa and wife, Kristen Moss Pupa, of Holly Springs, N.C., and Aaron Pupa of Raleigh; stepchildren, Julie Caviness and Wes Craft of Raleigh; mother, Eva Hamilton (104) of W. Melbourne, Fla.; twin sister, Nancy Scherzer and husband, John, of W. Melbourne, Fla.; and brother, Everette Burke and wife, Nancy, of Ashton, Md.
Along with his family, Marshall is survived by many friends, students, players and coaches who were a joyful part of his life. Marshall's personality was larger than life. His infectious laugh was heard often and no one was safe from his sarcasm and wit. Marshall was a coach who believed that athletes could and should perform in the classroom. His students and players were educated not only in the lessons of the game, but in compassion, character and courage. Marshall taught his players that in the game of basketball as in life, they would not always win. He taught them that their character and sportsmanship were far greater indicators than their athletic ability of who they were. He hired coaches who would be great role models, setting the standard himself. Marshall loved to win and was fiercely competitive, but his rough exterior was just the outer covering for his soft heart. Marshall enjoyed the game and his players to such an extent that he was most at home in the gym.
During his career, Marshall received many awards and distinctions. While at Southern Wayne High, his team won the 1980 State 4-A title. He became nationally known and served on the National High School Basketball Rules Committee. He coached in the U.S. Olympic Festival and was an assistant coach to Larry Brown for the U.S. Junior National Team. Marshall served on the board of directors of the N.C. High School Athletic Association for four years and in 2001 received the Dave Harris 4-A Athletic Director of the Year Award. Under his direction, just three years after opening, Leesville Road High School won the first of its three 4-A Wachovia Cups, a symbol of overall athletic excellence. Marshall's goal was for Leesville Road High School to contend for state titles in every sport, and when he retired in June, he had achieved this goal.
Visitation will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on Leesville Road from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7. A celebration of Marshall's life will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on Leesville Road at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, with burial following at Raleigh Memorial Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Marshall Hamilton Scholarship Fund, c/o Mary Ellen Koch, 6417 Cape Charles Drive, Raleigh, N.C. 27617.
Arrangements by Bryan Lee Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, 27604, 919-832-8225.
Condolences may be made through www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com.
"We are thankful to have loved a man so rare, and we will forever miss his laugh."
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on December 7, 2007 1:48 PM