Paula M. Dike, of Ellicott City, died March 20, 2009, from complications of lung cancer, at Pitt County Hospital, in Greenville, N.C. She was 69.

Born Nov. 26, 1939, in Lawrence, Kan., to Clarence and Elizabeth P. Maier, she spent most of her youth in Littleton, Colo.

She graduated from the University of Kansas, in 1961, with a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy. That same year, she married Gary M. Dike.

Family members said she was a dedicated stay-at-home mother for many years before going back to work for the state of Maryland at Spring Grove Hospital in 1985 as an occupational therapist. She retired in 2002.

Mrs. Dike was active in her children's lives, running cheerleading for many years for HCYP, the concession stand during baseball and football seasons, but mostly by attending school and sporting events for her son and daughter throughout the years, and even in college.

Her husband, Gary M. Dike, of 47 years, and her son, Randell D. Dike, predeceased her.

Mrs. Dike is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Bradley D. and Anne Marie Dike, of Richmond, Va.; a daughter, Elizabeth G. White, of Winterville, N.C.; her mother-in-law, Nell Dike, of Longmont, Colo.; three grandchildren, Jackson and Natalie Dike of Richmond, and Zoë White, of Winterville; and many other relatives.

A memorial gathering was held March 28, 2009, at Slack Funeral Home, in Ellicott City.

Memorial donations may be made to any national cancer society of choice.

Finley R. Hamilton

Colonel Finley Ray Hamilton, of Ellicott City, died of cancer April 14, 2009, at his home in Ellicott City. He was 61.

Mr. Hamilton was born on Jan. 21, 1948, in Richmond, Ky., to Charles and Nancy Hamilton.

He attended elementary school at Eastern Kentucky University's Model School and later Madison High School. He graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a bachelor's degree in music in 1970 and earned a master's in music in 1975. He was an active member of the national music fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha.

He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the United States Army through Eastern Kentucky University's Reserve Officers' Training Corps. He completed a career of 30 years in the Army's bands program. He commanded the Forces Command Band in the states and overseas. Between his command tours, he served as the director of instruction at the U.S. Army School of Music; Staff Bands Officer, Headquarters, U.S. Army Europe; Executive Officer, U.S. Army Field Band; and Department of the Army Staff Bands Officer.

He was a graduate of the Army's Adjutant General's Officer Basic Course, the Adjutant General's Officer Advanced Course, and the Command and General Staff College.

His decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf clusters, and the Overseas Service Ribbon. He was given the Adjutant General's Corps Regimental Association's highest award for service to the regiment, the Horatio Gates Medal in Gold.

Mr. Hamilton was a member of the American Bandmasters Association, the National Bands Association, the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, and the Texas Bandmaster's Association. Eastern Kentucky University awarded him its honorary Doctor of Arts in 2003 in recognition of his lifetime of service to music, music education, and the university, and he was inducted into the university's Hall of Fame, family members said. The Governor of Kentucky honored him with appointment as a Kentucky Colonel.

He was guest conductor of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Boston Pops Orchestra, and Detroit Symphony. For those closest to him he was also a mentor and teacher, family members said.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Benjamin "Benny" Hamilton.

Mr. Hamilton is survived by his wife, Kathy; his stepson, Jose; and his sister, Rebecca Hamilton Brown, of Ormond Beach, Fla.

Mr. Hamilton's memorial services were held at the Post Chapel on Fort George G. Meade on April 20, 2009.

Interment was at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial donations may be sent to the Col. Finley R. Hamilton Music Scholarship Fund. Please send donations to Eastern Kentucky University, Development Office, 521 Lancaster Ave., C PO 10A, Richmond, KY 40475. Annotate the memo line of checks with: COL Finley Hamilton Music Scholarship Fund.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.slackfuneralhome.com.

Clem R. Lawson

Dr. Clem Robert "Bob" Lawson, of Chevy Chase, and a former resident of Columbia and Ellicott City, died March 29, 2009. He was 69.

Dr. Lawson was born Sept. 2, 1939, in Clinton, Ind.

A 1958 graduate of Clinton High School, he earned his undergraduate degree at Franklin College. He was a fraternity brother at Sigma Alpha Epsilon and served as president of his senior class before graduating in 1962.

The college honored him in 2001 with the presentation of the Distinguished Alumni award. He earned a master's degree at Indiana University, and in 1974 completed his Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Dr. Lawson served as the first Dean of Students at Indiana State University-Evansville, known today as the University of Southern Indiana. Through employment with the Veterans Administration in Indianapolis, he provided professional counseling services to disabled veterans. Later he went to the VA Central Office, in Washington, to assist in the development of nationwide program policy enhancements. In 1999, he retired from the federal government .

He served on active duty with the U.S. Air Force for six years, and in the Air Force Reserve for 24 years. As a reservist, his major assignment was the recruitment of high school students in Maryland and Delaware for the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. He retired with the rank of Colonel.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Mary Ferry Lawson; daughters Jennifer Lawson and husband James Hazeltine-Shedd, and Katherine Lawson and husband Nestor Sainz; grandchildren Isabella and Santiago Sainz; and sisters Charlotte Bandi and husband William, of Oakmont, Pa., Joan Bogetto and husband James, of Clinton, Ind., and Marlene Wilson and husband Russell, of Clinton.

Services will be held at Bethlehem United Methodist Church, in Universal, Ind., on Saturday, April 25, 2009. Another service will be held on July 8 at 9 a.m. at Fort Myer Chapel with interment at Arlington National Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made in his name to Franklin College 101 Branigin Blvd., Franklin, IN 46131.

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