In memoriam of our friend and colleague, Josh Hamilton
Josiah Quincy “Josh” Hamilton
August 1, 1968 – February 3, 2020 (age 51)
Former Chair, App Developer, Council Member, Musician, Friend
It is with immense sadness that we share that Josh Hamilton, former Chair, passed away from glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor. Josh was as amazing a friend as anyone could have known. He was kind beyond words or actions, transcending this quality to an art that is so rarely seen that it appears to perhaps be endangered. In essence, he was quite literally the ‘nicest guy you might ever want to meet.’ He was smart beyond knowledge, wise beyond years and gracious beyond anyone’s ability to ask.
Josh was an integral part of the team creating the Computer & Technology Section app for its members, figuring out how to authenticate a user’s identity with the State Bar of Texas and writing the code to accomplish this that was adopted by the company that made the app.
In 2011, he received The State Bar of Texas Presidents/Directors Certificate of Merit, State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, and Computer & Technology Section Award of Merit for his work on the App and his contribution to the State Bar.
Josh was a true husband and partner to his wife, Jane, devoted and loving father to his children, Bethany, Josiah, and Sophia and many other family and friends. How his children grew up, and how they are now is a testimonial of Josh as a father. How his wife loved him is a testimonial of Josh as a husband. How he treated his fellow attorneys is a testimonial of Josh as a friend.
Those who knew him admired his ability as a first-class hacker. He was easily the best Perl hacker that the State Bar could call their own. He built his own home security system (from cobbled-together parts). He created spamgourmet.com (a great website that provided disposable email addresses that helped thousands of people avoid unwanted spam/corporate messages). That’s what Josh did best. He used his considerable hacking skills to devise creative solutions for the common good — all on a shoestring budget. Practical as well as pragmatic. He was level-headed, and did not possess any of the idiosyncrasies common to geeks.
We, the Council and section members, lawyers and friends, will miss him more than we have words. Thank you Josh, for what you were and what you have done to make us better.
Memorial Service and reception:
Friday, February 14, 2020 at 11:00 AM
Christ Church Cathedral
1117 Texas Avenue
Houston, Texas 77002
