Frankie Hamilton Sr

Frankie Hamilton Sr, 55, of Toledo, formerly of Lorain, passed away Thursday, June 13, 2024, in the VA Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan, surrounded by his loving family. 

Frankie Hamilton Sr. was born on November 15, 1968, in Elyria, Ohio. He graduated from Admiral King High School in 1986, which was a year early, because of his academic achievement. He comes from a long history of leaders, his mom while pregnant with him took the bold step to move from Chicago, Il to Lorain, Ohio for a better life. While in Lorain he learned the value of family and community advocacy. In Lorain he participated in wrestling, baseball, computer literacy, landscaping and culinary skills. He loved taking care of his brothers and sisters. .

To begin his journey of touring the world, after graduating high school, he enlisted into the United States Navy and attended boot camp in San Diego after being inspired by his older brother Derrick (Ricky) Hamilton who had joined the Army. While overseas in the Navy he learned about different cultures as he traveled extensively throughout Africa, Russia, Ibiza, Cuba, Israel, Italy, France, and Mexico and met many great people through his service in United States Navy such as Tom Henry, Greg, Marvin, Austin, Slo, and Greg Smith. His love for travel and history was accelerated in the Navy. He loved learning about notable African Americans such as Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and Marcus Garvey. During his time in the Navy, he was promoted to chef manager because of his excellent leadership skills and diplomacy. He also met his beautiful loving wife Vallarie Stephens in the Navy who had been with him for 35 years and helped inspire and uplift him throughout life.  

After retiring from the military, he began his career in law enforcement. He worked as a police officer in several states and then moved into the correctional system where he worked in several prisons throughout the United States.  

After retiring from law-enforcement and the correctional system, he began to nurture his skills as a real estate investor. As it began to grow and make a big impact, he felt the desire to use his insight to help others gain the American dream of owning their own home. He was known for helping single mothers become first time homeowners. He loved to share his knowledge and his entrepreneurial skills of being a real estate investor. He was also known for being an advocate for veterans by helping them receive their military and VA benefits. He was very willing and open to help inspire people to never give up on their dreams and continue their education. He was very generous with taking out the time to counsel others. He enjoyed playing poker, telling stories, talking, traveling, and going on long road trips with his dear family. He will surely be missed.  

Frankie leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 34 years, Vallarie Stephens, his three children, Layla (Courtney) Hamilton, Frankie (Lauren) Hamilton II., and Benjamin Hamilton; five grandchildren; his siblings, Larry Earl Hamilton, Andre “Khalil” Hamilton, Santez Christian, and Willis (Shante) Hamilton; a host of nieces, nephews and other loving relatives.  

Frankie was preceded in death by a daughter, Cherry Hamilton; his father, Larry Earl Hamilton Sr., and mother, Rosie H. Pope; brothers, Derrick “Ricky” Hamilton; and a sister, Tonya “Tiny” Monique Hamilton.  

Visitation will be held Friday, June 21, 2024, from 6pm to 8pm at Brown-Robinson Funeral Home and Celebration Center, 6075 Middle Ridge Road, Lorain Ohio 44053, where his funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Noon. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Lorain.