Blair Martin Hamilton, 48, Reva, died Saturday October 10, 2009, at his ranch near Reva.

Visitation will be 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Thursday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 16, 2009, at the Reva Hall with Father John Heying officiating. Burial will follow at the Hamilton Family Ranch Cemetery south of Reva.

Blair was born July 8, 1961, in Butte County to Maurice and Dixie (Blomberg) Hamilton. He grew up on the family ranch south of Reva and attended country school at Reva and Harding Co. High School in Buffalo. He attended 3 years at Casper College and one year at the University of Wyoming in Laramie with a four year degree in marketing and journalism.

Blair started riding horseback and calves at age three. He went to his first rodeo the summer he turned 14 and won the Jr. All Around Cowboy. He was successful in High School Rodeos by qualifying for the National High School and National Little Britches Finals Rodeo several years in a row. He won regional and state competitions in bareback, and saddle broncs and two state 4H bareback titles.

Blair competed in college and was the regional runner up in 1981, 1982 and regional champion in 1983, finishing 5th at the College National Finals.

Blair joined the PRCA in 1980. He qualified for 8 circuit finals and 14 nationals finals. He was the Badlands Circuit Champion in 1985 and 1987. He was the 1986 Badlands Circuit Finals Champion.

Blair was also a gifted singer, songwriter, and poet. His first album "Blazin Trail" was released in 1994. He enjoyed writing music, reading, camping, and packing. He served as an EMT in his community.

He met Marsha Lytle on August 7, 1993. She was his "Huckleberry" and life partner since 1995.

Survivors include Marsha Lytle, Reva; his parents, Maurice and Dixie Hamilton, Reva; Marsha's family, Robbie and Molly Lytle, Quinn, Darren and Canada Lytle, Las Vegas, and Chad and Jenny Price, Red Owl; and numerous extended family.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents.

A memorial has been established.