Rodney C. Hamilton, Sr. was born on March 24, 1932 in Fort Worth, Texas. His father was a Baptist pastor who joined the Army Air Corps during World War II to serve as a military chaplain. After the war, in 1948, the family moved to Lafayette, Louisiana.

Hamilton joined the Marines on April 4, 1949 at the age of 17, and became a member of the Marine Reserve Rifle Platoon. He later received orders to serve in the 7th Marine Regiment during the Korean War. Stationed at the front lines for many months, Hamilton was wounded by mortar shells on September 11, 1951. While being promoted to corporal, he was reassigned to the First Marine Division’s service battalion, which he served until his honorable discharge in 1952. He left Korea with the rank of Sergeant and was awarded many decorations including a Purple Heart. After returning home, he married Barbara Webb; the two had 5 children and 12 grandchildren. The couple, having been married for over 60 years, resided in Youngsville, LA.

From 1962 to 1968, Hamilton worked in television and radio for KLFY TV 10. In 1968, he was elected to public office as Trustee for Public Property. He also ran a mayoral campaign in 1972, though was not successful. He later worked as a real estate salesman and for Acadiana Alarm Systems until his retirement in 1996.

Hamilton was a longtime member of the Marine Corps League Acadiana Detachment. He served as detachment commandant and has worked tirelessly to support active and retired Marines. He was also a co-founder of the Veteran’s Action Coalition of Southwest Louisiana, which was instrumental in establishing the Lafayette Community Based Outpatient Clinic on November 14, 2016. The clinic offers primary care, physical therapy, laboratory services, and much more.