Joseph Edward Hammond

Hammond, Joseph Edward
Passed away at age 86 on June 19, 2011. Joe was born on Nov. 22, 1924 in Tsinan, China to Reed Stuart and Ruth Chaney Hammond. In 1928, the family returned to the United States, residing for a short period in New Orleans before moving to Atlanta where Joe graduated from Fulton High School in 1942. Joe served on active duty as a 2nd lieutenant with the Army Air Force 312th Troop Carrier Squadron during World War II from 1942 to 1945. He attended Indiana University from 1945 to 1947, were he was a third generation member of the ATO fraternity. Joe married Mary Lee Metcalfe in 1947 in New York City, NY and began a lifelong career in acoustical ceilings sales with the Armstrong Cork Co. He married his second wife, Betty Smith Thomas in 1972. They moved from San Marino, California to Paradise Valley, Arizona in 1984 and Joe retired in 1988, after 40 years and 6 months with Armstrong. Born with a natural amount of charisma and charm, the party started when he walked in the room. his enthusiasm for life was infectious. He was a passionate football fan of both college and pro teams; he also loved Dixieland jazz and enjoyed nearly 100 "jazz" cruises with Betty. He is survived by his children Reed Stuart Hammond of Paradise Valley, AZ, Joseph Edward Hammond Jr. of Santa Barbara, CA, and Elizabeth Lee Lehrman of Santa Rosa, CA; stepdaughters Debbie Bayer of Agoura Hills, CA and Christine Thomas of Houston, TX; grandchildren Genevieve Hammond of Portland, OR, Sam Hammond of Santa Barbara, CA, and Katharine Hammond of Phoenix, AZ, great-granddaughter Sophie Hammond of Portland, OR; and cousin Jane Prather of Indianapolis, IN. He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 39 years, Betty, who passed away May 4, 2011. Donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the Episcopal Parish of St. Barnabas on the Desert, Scottsdale, Arizona. Miss you Dad.