Dustin Hamilton

8/9/86 - 7/8/01

This page and site is dedicated in memory of my son Dustin who was born on August 9, 1986 and passed away on July 8, 2001 in a one-vehicle accident.

I was only 17 myself when Dustin came into my life. I had never known the kind of love a person could have for someone else until that day I first held Dustin in my arms. He was my world and I loved him so very dearly. Dustin's dad and I never married and we went our separate ways shortly after Dustin was born. However, Dustin's dad always stayed involved in his life.

Dustin was such a blessing to my family and me. He touched all our lives greatly. Dustin and I grew together and I knew he was someone I would have in my life forever.

As a young child Dustin struggled with Attention Deficit Disorder and took medication for it. He struggled through grade school and middle school, not knowing for sure where he belonged. Sometimes school was so hard for him, but we always pulled through the bad times.

When Dustin was in eighth grade he was beginning to do so much better at school. He was finally on a medication that helped him concentrate better. He decided to join the school's golf team and fell in love with it. He loved to play golf. The following year when he went to the high school he continued to do well and once again joined the golf team. He came home one day from golf practice and was so excited, our local Country Club had offered him a job after school helping in the Pro Shop. He was so excited. It was Dustin's first job and he took so much pride in it. I was so proud of him.

The summer of 2001 came and Dustin was to go to his dad's for the summer. I wanted him to stay and continue his job at the Pro Shop. But I understood his decision in going to his dad's, as he didn't get to spend a lot of time with that side of his family.

The Fourth of July weekend came and I tried to get Dustin to come home for a few days. Offered to come and get him and take him back, but he chose to stay there. How I wish that I had made him come home for a few days.

The last time I spoke to Dustin and heard his sweet voice was on Friday July 6th, 2001. For on Sunday July 8th, 2001 our world as we knew it would never be the same.

Sunday, July 8th, was like any other day to me. However, around 10:30 - 11:00am I kept thinking about Dustin and wanting to talk to him. I tried calling, but could not get any answer. At 11:58am Dustin's aunt called and told me that Dustin and his half brother Tobey had been in an accident. I was four hours away from my Dustin and felt so very hopeless. Dustin was driving his dad's pickup down a dirt road, when he lost control. Dustin and his half brother were the only ones in the vehicle. Dustin was a month away from turning 15 and didn't even have a valid driver's license. Both boys were life flighted to Kansas City hospitals. Dustin never regained consciousness and passed away at 1:09pm, shortly after arriving at KU Medical Center. My family and me made it to the hospital, but it was too late. My Dustin had gone to Heaven and I didn't even get to tell him goodbye.

Dustin's half brother survived the accident with a head injury and broken leg in several places. He is now a normal teenager, but I am sure he lives with the memories of their accident everyday.

The day I lost my Dustin, was the day my "new" life began. A life I didn't want to live. I will never understand this life and will forever miss and hurt for my Dustin. The pain is still as raw as it was that day in July of 2001, but I have just learned to cope with it better. I can now talk about and think about Dustin with a smile on my face and in my heart and remember the happy times we shared and be thankful for the short time we had together.
I know someday we will be together again and what a joyful day that will be.

Dustin Glen Hamilton 1986 - 2001
(posted in the Chanute Tribune 7/9/01)

Dustin Glen Hamilton, 14,
Chanute, died Sunday, July 8,
2001, at the KU Medical Center
from injuries following a truck
accident near Hiawatha.

He was born August 9, 1986, in
Chanute, the son of Tobey Barnhart
and Angela Hamilton.
He grew up in Chanute and
would have been a sophomore at
Chanute High School in the fall. He
was a member of the CHS golf team.

He is survived by his father,
Tobey Barnhart, Hiawatha; his
mother, Angela Hodges, Chanute;
two brothers, Tray Hodges,
Chanute, and Tobey Barnhart, Jr.,
Hiawatha; two sisters, Casie
Barnhart and Kaliegh Barnhart,
both of Hiawatha; a stepsister,
Tyrenia Hodges, Arkansas;
grandparents, Linda and Ed
Barber and Duane Hamilton,
all of Iola, and Donna and
Marvin Barnhart, Hiawatha.

He was preceded in death by a
step-father, Don Hodges.

Services will be at 2 pm.
Wednesday, July 11, at the First
Christian Church, Chanute, led by
the Rev. David Jenkins. Burial will
be in Highland Cemetary, Iola.

The family will receive friends
from 7 pm - 8 pm. Tuesday at the
funeral home.

Waugh-Yokum & Friskel
Memorial Chapel, Iola, is in charge
of arrangements.

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