Pastor Dr. Hamilton B. Ware,Jr.

Pastor Dr. Hamilton B. Ware, Jr., 89 

Passed away on Monday, January 22, 2024.

Visitation will be on Friday, February 2, 2024 from 4:30pm - 6:30pm 

Wake will being at 7:00pm 

Visitation and Wake will be held at Victory Temple COGIC 

630 Bath Circle OKC, OK

Services will be on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 11:00am 

Greater First Deliverance Temple, Inc. 

2101 N. Bryant Ave. OKC

The Life Journey of

Pastor Dr. Hamilton Brown Ware, Jr. 

Hamilton Brown Ware, Jr. was born on October 15, 1934, in Depew Oklahoma to Hamilton B. Ware, Sr., and Edith Patton Ware. He was the 12th of 12 children born to their union. His parents’ brothers and sisters: Theodore Flowers, Alfred Flowers, Willie Flowers, James Ware, Edward Ware, Harriet Watson, Malinda Hudspeth, Ellen Kimbrough, Nellie Coleman, Henrietta Wright, and Mary Charles Owens all preceded him in death. 

Hamilton attended the Depew School system and graduated from Bristow High School in Bristow, OK in 1952.

Pastor Ware's hobbies included farming, riding horses, and raising a garden. He truly enjoyed the country life. He truly had a love for the souls of men. His motto: "If I can help somebody as I traveled along this way, then my living shall not be in vain.”

He met and married the former Zellasteen Watts on October 12, 1957, and to their union 6 children were born: Additionally, he added 2 daughters and 2 sons. His wife: Zellasteen Ware, Sons: Darron Ware, Raymond Pless, and Daughter, Bertha Frazier all preceded him in death.

Later, he married the former Linda Hawkins on July 14, 2001, and added 2 more children to his family.

Hamilton B. Ware was saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost in January 1964, under the pastorage of the late Superintendent Ammon Dee Dotson at the Gospel Kingdom, Church of God in Christ. In 1966, He was appointed as Deacon where he served faithfully. In 1967, Pastor Dotson appointed Elder Ware as youth Pastor over the "Youth Ministry". Elder Ware served faithfully as Youth Pastor until December 1976 when he was installed as Senior Pastor of Greater Gospel Kingdom, Church of God in Christ, at the demise of Pastor Ammon Dee Dotson. 

The following Ministries have been established under the leadership of Pastor Ware:

• The opening of the Lord's Kitchen (Feeding of the Homeless) 3 times a week.
• Opening of "The Clothing Room" (Issuing clothes to needy families)
• Opening of "Food Pantry" (Distributing food twice a week to needy families)
• Established an After School tutoring program for children.
• Established the Guthrie Job Corp Bus Ministry, transporting students for Church services from Guthrie Job Corp.
• Established Prison Ministry - held services once a month at the Joseph Harp Correctional Center.

Elder Hamilton B. Ware's Accomplishments:

• Served 6 years as Superintendent of the Capital City District in Oklahoma Northwest Jurisdiction under the leadership of Bishop James Young.
• Currently served as Chairman to Superintendent Luther Harris of the Oklahoma City District, Oklahoma Southeast Jurisdiction, under the leadership of Bishop Malcolm W. Coby.
• Retired from Wonder Bread Bakery
• Served as a Cross Country Bus Driver for 7 years for Red Carpet Transportation Company, and 3 years for Fellowship Charter Bus Company.
• Received a Bachelor of Christian Education Degree on May 29, 1985, from Family Bible Institute in Denver, Colorado
• Received a Master of Christian Education on October 28, 1987, from Family Bible Institute in Denver, Colorado
• Received a Doctorate of Christian Education on June 6, 1989, from Family Bible Institute in Denver, Colorado
• Received an Honorary Doctorate on March 26, 2023, from the Christian Minister’s Alliance

Elder Ware was Pastor of Greater Gospel Kingdom, Church of God in Christ from 1976 until he requested Emeritus status and retired in December 2014. In May 2018, Elder Hamilton B. Ware came out of retirement to lead the body of Greater Gospel Kingdom.

Pastor Hamilton B. Ware recently celebrated his 45^th Pastoral Appreciation Service and 89^th Birthday Celebration on October 14, 2023. 

He departed this walk of life on Monday, January 22, 2024, at 6:07 a.m.

He leaves to cherish his memory: His wife of 22 years, Sister Linda Kaye Ware, 3 sons: Virgil Ware of Virginia Beach, VA, James Earl Ware, and Bruce Stepeny of Oklahoma City, OK, 1 stepson: John Goodman, III of Midwest City, OK. 4 daughters: Jeannine Ware, Darlene Ware, and Maxine Davis of Oklahoma City, OK, Loretta Ware of McKinney, TX, 1 stepdaughter: Janika Goodman of Midwest City, OK.  A host of Grandchildren, Great-Grandchildren, Great-Great Grandchildren, Nieces, and Nephews, along with the Saints of Greater Gospel Kingdom, Church of God in Christ, and Oklahoma Southeast Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction. 

~ His favorite scripture: Psalm 91 ~