The Man Behind the Patch Ron Hamilton

by Shelly Garlock Hamilton

A biography of Ron Hamilton, who was also known as "Patch the Pirate," a muscian who entertained decades of kids. His wife, Shelly Hamilton, is the author and shares with readers life with her beloved husband with its ups and downs. She shares with readers "the real man behind the patch." The book is broken into three Becoming Patch the Pirate, Life with Patch the Pirate, and Patch's Long Journey Home. It is informative and inspirational.

419 pages, Hardcover

Published July 1, 2024

Reviews

[Adam Joyner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am conflicted on how to rate this book. I guess I would say 3.78569 stars. :) Shelly does an excellent job of giving us details (often incredibly specific details) of the life of Patch the Pirate. But I believe this book would often fit more under the category of a family memoire or family history. And at times it just seemed to be a bullet point list of disconnected factual information.

That being said, the behind the scenes stories, quips, and insights into Ron Hamilton’s life made me admire and appreciate him more. Patch truly felt like one of the family for me growing up and was instrumental in shaping character traits in my life. I am grateful for the time and energy invested into the telling, but struggled with the format and lack of a true biography “feel.” Still, as ponder what I’ve read, I’m challenged to truly ask myself and pray for grace for others to say that they “saw Jesus in me.” Ron lived what he wrote, preached, and sang. May that be true of every follower of Christ.

[Laura Burkhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up on Patch, and cannot count the ways his songs have ministered to me. “How can I fear, Jesus is near” “little by little, inch by inch” “Abba, Father, I rest in You. You’re always faithful, You’re always true” and of course, “oh rejoice in the Lord, He makes no mistakes.” As a child, I had lofty dreams of being cast as Sissy or perhaps Pixie in one of our church’s Patch productions but instead was given the roles of a sel-fish and “naughty” pine in Kidnapped on I-Land, which in hindsight was a true honor. ;)
Now I’ve introduced my daughters to Patch and it’s even more meaningful to me than before. Hearing my girls sing the old classics but then learning new ones with them-“Justified by Faith alone, peace with God through Christ the Son, righteousness not of my own, I will stand before the throne, justified!”
I haven’t even listened to The Final Voyage yet, but I could not stop the tears reading the script of Patch’s goodbye and admonition to “Keep Singing!” Uhhg I need Kleenexes.

This is an incredibly detailed book. It is more of a play by play of Ron’s life rather than an overview for the casual observer. Some people might find it tedious or over detailed at parts but I didn’t mind. I’m glad Shelly recorded all of the memories of her dear husband that she wanted to share.

I learned lots of things about Patch, some that gave me a giggle. Apparently he could be very mischievous and some of his antics left me saying, “Patch! if the person you’re teasing isn’t laughing, it’s not called funny, it’s called mean.” (A Patch line my sisters and I loved to quote to each other when we didn’t appreciate another’s teasing) Or hearing about his desk piled high with papers—wait a second Patch, “never put it down till it reaches hoooooome!” I’m glad Patch was a real, relatable person. And the songs were for him too.

I’m so glad I read this, it increases my appreciation for him quite a lot. I’m also so thankful Adam and Megan are continuing the ministry. Patch has been such a blessing to so many. It’ll be a joy to say “Ahoy mate!” in person someday.

[Barbara Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ron Hamilton and his alter ego, Patch the Pirate, are household names in some places but unknown in others. When he developed cancer in one eye and had to have it removed, he wore an eye patch. Children at his church started calling him Patch the Pirate. He had been writing music, then decided to make an album for children with simple songs, fun character voices, and life lessons as Patch the Pirate. Families loved it and parents soon clamored for more. Thus a children's ministry was born.

Ron wrote, published, and recorded music for adults and churches as well.

He passed away in 2023 after a long decline with early onset dementia. His wife, Shelly, wrote his biography: The Man Behind the Patch: Ron Hamilton.

My full review is here: https://barbaraleeharper.com/2025/11/...

[Loren Crumpton · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I don’t believe I would have written children’s music had it not been for losing my left eye to cancer, wearing an eye patch, and becoming Patch the Pirate. I was a university professor and composer who had spent most of my education on more lofty ideas, not Simple children’s tunes. But God changed my heart.” -Ron Hamilton

Reading this book was an encouragement to me to “Rejoice in the Lord.”
I grew up on Patch the Pirate, but now as an adult I read his story and recognize that his joy was a choice. He kept his eyes on Jesus, and as a result God used him greatly to bring praise and glory to Himself.

A few of my favorite quotes:

“When we are going through the valley of the shadow of death, and we respond by praising God, God gives us His very special attention.” -Ron Hamilton

“God won’t always tell us why something has happened, but when you seek Him, you will find Him, and He is enough.” -Ron Hamilton

The book is full of many details that I feel are not relevant to the story….but his wife is the author and I think it’s more a family history/memoir than a biography.

I enjoyed it!

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is familiar with Patch the Pirate music. His wife beautifully tells the story of Ron Hamilton from birth to death. She talks about the struggles of dealing with a mate that has dementia.

I found myself crying several times throughout the book !
I truly love how his wife incorporated many of the songs that I love in this book!

[Anson Cassel Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

This nicely produced and well-illustrated work is more a self-published, inspirational memorial written by a recently bereaved widow than a true biography. But such a memorial volume should likely be enough for most readers, who will come to the book with an early, emotional connection to the music of Ron Hamilton (1950-2023), a prolific composer and producer of Christian songs for children.

Shelly Hamilton is a good storyteller, and she has many good stories to tell whenever she can break free of her lockstep chronological organization. In her preface, she admits that she “seriously considered giving over the writing of Ron’s life to someone else” but decided against it because her life had been so intertwined with his. Perhaps, then, someone else will find appropriate use for this imperfectly edited material to write a real biography of both Hamiltons or a history of Majesty Music, the creation of the extended Garlock-Hamilton clan.

[Bethany Raborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up with Patch the Pirate and it was so nice to read his story. I feel like the book got a little too bogged down with unnecessary details and didn't quite hit a good story flow until the middle of the book. The second half was a much quicker and engaging read, and I recommend this book as his testimony is definitely worth reading. Really appreciated that his wife (who wrote the book) was willing to share some really hard, vulnerable times in their life and how their faith got them through. Found it a very moving and touching book.

[Greg Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although the book does not read like a typical biography, I very much enjoyed reading Shelley Hamilton's biography of Ron, which she calls her "last labor-of-love gift" to her husband. I grew up on Patch the Pirate, but after reading this book, I feel like I know him so much better. He endured many trials in his life, and his faith in Christ through those trials is inspiring. I cannot wait to meet him in glory someday.