Ron Hamilton, best known as the one-eyed “Patch the Pirate,” passed away at age 72. Over four decades, Hamilton released 41 silly kids’ albums that taught Bible stories and life lessons. Dressing up as a pirate with his wife as “Sissy the Seagull,” their family adventures on the high seas delighted children and spread the gospel.
Hamilton lost his left eye to cancer when he was 26. His eye patch sparked kids to call him a pirate, inspiring the character. Starting in 1981, Patch the Pirate albums came out annually, selling over 2 million copies. His songs were broadcast on over 450 radio stations, making it one of the biggest children’s radio outreaches.
Tributes poured in online, with many reminiscing about childhood memories listening to Patch. One recalled “time and time again, being curled up around the radio listening to the stories with such anticipation.” Though Hamilton wrote hundreds of majestic hymns and songs, he considered his Patch the Pirate work the greatest blessing. In his fight against dementia, his wife reminded him how he blessed so many. Hamilton simply replied, “I’d like to think God did it.”
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