Blair Martin Hamilton 14 time NFR Qualifier Dies

Investigatin is still on going in what appears to be the accidental shooting of Blair Hamilton on October 10th. CLICK HERE FOR LATEST STORY

Obituary - Blair was born July 8, 1961, in Butte County to Maurice and Dixie (Blomberg) Hamilton. He grew up on the family ranch south of Reva and attended country school at Reva and Harding County High School in Buffalo. He attended three years at Casper College and one year at the University of Wyoming in Laramie with a four year degree in marketing and journalism. Blair started riding horseback and calves at age three. He went to his first rodeo the summer he turned 14 and won the Junior All-Around Cowboy. He was successful in High School Rodeos by qualifying for the National High School and National Little Britches Finals Rodeo several years in a row. He won regional and state competitions in bareback, and saddle broncs and two state 4-H bareback titles. Blair competed in college and was the regional runner up in 1981, 1982 and regional champion in 1983, finishing fifth at the College National Finals. Blair joined the PRCA in 1980. He qualified for eight circuit finals and 14 national finals. He was the Badlands Circuit Champion in 1985 and 1987. He was the 1986 Badlands Circuit Finals Champion. Blair was also a gifted singer, songwriter and poet. His first album "Blazin Trail," was released in 1994. He enjoyed writing music, reading, camping and packing. He served as an EMT in his community. He met Marsha Lytle on Aug. 7, 1993. She was his "Huckleberry" and life partner since 1995. Survivors include Marsha Lytle, Reva; his parents, Maurice and Dixie Hamilton, Reva; Marsha's family, Robbie and Molly Lytle, Quinn, Darren and Canada Lytle, Las Vegas, and Chad and Jenny Price, Red Owl; and numerous extended family members. He was preceded in death by his grandparents. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at the Reva Hall, with Father John Heying officiating. Burial will follow at the Hamilton Family Ranch Cemetery south of Reva. A memorial has been established. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.