John Philip Hamilton of Twentynine Palms, Ca passed away peacefully in Palm Springs on April 1, 2022. 

John was born to Dorothy and Philip Hamilton on April 23, 1948 in Los Angeles, Ca. He attended El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera, Ca and Pioneer High School in Whittier, Ca. and was a Boy Scout. Having volunteered for Army service, he returned from the Vietnam War to also attend Rio Hondo College under the GI Bill. Especially influenced by the Surrealistic movement (Salvador Dali among others), John was a lifelong self-employed artist, specializing in oil painting & murals among his varied endeavors. During the 1980s & 90s he also built stage props and was a freelance videographer. He had a vast love for animals, especially dogs, and took care of several during his lifetime. 

Those who knew him can recall his truly eclectic & eccentric nature through his great fondness for popular culture and music icons such as Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and the radio personality Dr. Demento (even having submitted an original song for play consideration to the DJ). The influence of comedians George Carlin, W.C. Fields, The Marx Brothers, and American surreal radio comedy troupe Firesign Theater were also quite evident in his everyday conversation and artistic temperament. To remember him, the song "I Started A Joke" by the BeeGees is appropriate - and he would be tickled that he passed on April Fool's Day. 

John Hamilton is survived by his son, Nathan Hamilton and siblings Dorlan Carver, Connie Compte, David Hamilton (undetermined), and Glen Hamilton.