Roy F. Hamilton died March 13 in Auburn, Calif. He was 93 years old.

Hamilton was born on July 21, 1909, in Raymond, Calif. After his birth, the family moved to Modesto, where he spent most of his childhood.

In 1935 Hamilton married Edna Vickers. The couple soon moved to Merced, where Hamilton opened Ham's Drive-In. The business was closed during World War II but reopened after the war.

Hamilton sold the restaurant in 1955 and moved to San Jose, where he opened the Los Gatos Shade Shop on E. Main Street. He operated the shop until his retirement in 1977 and then pursued bowling and networking in town. The business continued to be run by the family, taken over by Hamilton's son, Bob, in 1997, and then Bob's wife, Carol, who handled the business until its close in 1999. McMurtry & Bell Insurance now inhabits the space.

Hamilton was preceded in death by his wife, Edna, and son Bob. He is survived by son and daughter-in-law Richard and Mary Ann Hamilton of Auburn, daughter and son-in-law JoAnn and Jim Washburn of San Jose, daughter-in-law Carol Hamilton of Los Gatos, seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Private services have been held.