Russell Scott Hamilton

Russell Scott Hamilton, 53, of Knoxville, TN, passed away on December 22, 2023. 

Russ was born on February 2, 1970.  He was adopted by Rodney and Joyce Hamilton in Barrington, Illinois. After Russ graduated from Barrington High School in 1988, he went on to major in Fine Arts at Albion College in Michigan.

After graduating with a degree in Fine Arts, he moved to Knoxville TN.  There he worked for several companies in their graphic arts and advertising departments.  Russ started his first job at Bike Athletic as a screen printer.  This led him to a career in graphic arts and advertising.  Russ worked for several well-known Knoxville companies in addition to Bike Athletic, including Goody’s, Proffits and Jewelry TV. 

In 1988, Russ met Stephanie Lepsig at Albion College.  Russ and Stephanie went on to have 3 children, Rowan, Kierra and Aidan Hamilton.

Russ was a man of many talents. Russ was an amazing and versatile artist. He was skilled with many mediums including: print making, charcoal drawing, oil painting, sculpture, and pottery. If pressed to pick a favorite medium, he probably would have picked pottery. His children have many of his original pottery pieces to remember him by. In addition to his love of art, he had a love for English literature and history which he honed at Albion College. Blake was his favorite author and Hironomous Bosch, his favorite artist.  Russ loved to water and snow ski in high school.  He owned a boat in the late 1990’s and loved to both ski and fish on the lakes around Knoxville.  His favorite lakes were Norris and Douglas.  He would canoe the Little Tennessee River and fly fish for gar, bass and bluegill.  Russ had a gift for landscape design and plants.  He raised orchids and made trees he found in nature into bonsai plants.  Russ loved mountain biking and he could often be found on the trails at Ijams, Hastie and Haw Ridge. Russ was a wonderful cook and enjoyed preparing meals for his loved ones. He taught his children how to box and play chess. His children remember their best times with their dad were spent fishing. He attended Eastminster Presbyterian Church for the last few years and found great support in that community. His three wonderful children are his proudest legacy. 

He is survived by his children: Rowan, Kierra and Aidan Hamilton. His brother, Eric Hamilton. His parents, Joyce and Rodney Hamilton, many cousins and nieces and nephews and his ex-wife, Stephanie Lepsig. 

A Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring in Knoxville and a tree planted in his memory. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to East Minster Presbyterian Church, as they provided Russ with a great deal of support in the last few years.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 24, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. until the Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m. at Willow Creek Community Church, Room F392, of South Barrington. Interment will be held privately.