Joan E. "Corky"` Hamilton

HAMILTON– Joan E. “Corky” Hamilton, age 71, of Gainesville, Georgia, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, October 16, 2022, God’s Holy Day, after a sudden stroke. Corky is survived by her sister & brother-in-law; Susan Leedekerken (Jack) of Lawrenceville, GA; brother, Jeff Hamilton of Norris ,TN; nephews, Dr. Jake Leedekerken of Suwanee, GA and Dennis Leedekerken of Jacksonville, FL; niece, Lisa Thomason of Suwanee, GA; numerous other relatives and a host of many friends and her church family. Corky was predeceased by her parents and nephew, Jacques “Chad” Leedekerken. Corky was born on November 7, 1950 in Knoxville, Tennessee to Dennis Jefferson Davis Hamilton, Sr. and Elizabeth Williams Hamilton. She was a 1968 graduate of Fulton High School in Knoxville and graduated from the University of Tennessee. She was a Physical Education instructor after graduation and also served as a Home Inspector. Joan E. "Corky" Hamilton was a legend, trailblazer, and World Police Olympian in Firearms shooting competitions. She began her law enforcement career in 1978 as a public safety officer with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in Knoxville, Tennessee. From 1986 to 2001, she was an Air Interdiction Officer (AIO) and Criminal Investigator assigned to the Miami Aviation Branch and Marine Interdiction Units, a firearms instructor, and a member of the Blackhawk bust crew. From 1983-1986, Corky was the only female firearms instructor at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), Brunswick, Georgia. The FLETC facility trains over 200 different federal agencies and it is where all federal agents receive training. Corky was the first woman ever to earn a position on the FLETC and the U.S. Customs National Shooting Pistol Teams. In 1985, she earned the title of the NRA National Police Revolver Women's Champion, Top Gun, and won 15 Medals at various State, Regional, National and World Police Firearms competitions. From 1985 -1989, she competed in four World Police Olympics, winning 37 medals (22 Gold), which led her to compete and win 10 gold and two bronze medals at the World Police Olympics in 1989 in Sydney, Australia. She was "Top Gun" at four International Association of Women Police conventions, winning several guns, silver plaques, and trophies. There was a 1989 TV movie (two hours in length), “Thunderboat Row” that was about a group of several different law enforcement agencies along with a race boat driver that came together with a common goal of stopping the drug traffic to the United States. Corky’s life was one of the enforcement officers that was followed in the movie. Corky was also an excellent archery participant. There weren’t many sports that she was not good at during her lifetime. Corky won all of her medals in contests populated exclusively by men. She always gave God the glory for all her shooting achievements.In 1991, Corky joined the U.S. Forest Service. She retired after 31 years as a Federal Agent/Officer from the U.S. Forest Service (Chattahoochee-Oconee NF-GA). A "shooting range" was dedicated in her behalf at the Complete Combatant range in Dahlonega, Georgia. Corky was active in “The Mingle” hosted by the Complete Combatant, “The Mingle”…Openness to Experience” is an invite only weekend for women in the firearms industry. “The Mingle” lends a hand in helping women in the firearms industry gain knowledge and meet more ladies in the industry. The ladies are able to “pick the brains” of the ones that paved the path and also who can offer new ideas. Corky was a devoted member at Free Chapel in Gainesville, GA. She donated to the Wisdom Club that supports fellowship and inspirational services for senior living. Also, she donated to Kidpak that focused on leading children into a growing relationship with God. Corky always said that the biggest blessing she received after retiring from "law dog" work, was meeting Hailey Brock and William H. (Kim) Kimbrough at the Kimbrough Law office in Gainesville, Georgia. They provided valuable estate planning and asset protection documents for her and for an elderly loved one. That was the need that brought Corky to Kimbrough Law. She loved the experience of working with Kim and Hailey, and was always grateful and indebted for their expertise. The Worship Service to Honor and Celebrate the Life of Joan E. “Corky” Hamilton will be held on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at 1:00 P.M. at Free Chapel, Gainesville Campus, 3001 McEver Road, Gainesville, GA 30504 (678-677-8300) with Pastor James Glutting officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. before the service at the church, as well as, at a Reception at the church after the service. In lieu of flowers Corky would want donations to be made to her beloved Free Chapel, Gainesville Campus in her memory to the Wisdom Club or Kidpak. A Private Interment Service for Corky will be held at the Berry Lynnhurst Funeral Home & Cemetery, 2300 W. Adair Drive, Knoxville, TN 37918 (865-689-8888). Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, 120 Scenic Highway, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 (770-963-2411) has been entrusted with the arrangements.Read Obituary