Grace Vivian Moore Hammon

1930 - 2025

Grace Vivian Moore Hammon
August 29, 1930 - November 15, 2025
Grace Vivian Moore Hammon was born at home in Strong City, OK August 29, 1930 to Ruby Luna Gray and Maurice Moore. She passed away peacefully on November 15, 2025 in Ontario, OR with her family close by. She was the fifth of eight children. Her Dad moved the family almost yearly in search of work. She had very humble beginnings, yet grew in her accomplishments. It was hard keeping friends since they moved so often. She worked in the fields to help support their large family. Everyone worked hard; electricity and indoor plumbing were a rarity. Her parents were practical and frugal.
She graduated from high school in 1948 in Wilder, Idaho and shortly after, moved out on her own. She shared an apartment in Caldwell, ID with her sister Ruth. Eventually she found a job as a teller at a bank. Not far away a Nebraska farm boy worked at a Mobil Service Station owned by his brother, Gilbert. This farm boy was a former Staff Sergeant in the Army who had served in Korea. His name was Eldon "Ed" Hammon. His brother kept sending Ed to make the bank deposits. Grace and Ed discovered they had a lot in common, including the same birthdate! They were married on April 11, 1954. Ed's brother Gib (from the service station) was the Best Man.
They had a daughter, Carmen Ruth and a few years later a son, Kyle Eldon. They had moved to Eugene, Oregon where Ed drove a delivery truck for Nabisco. Grace was a busy homemaker. In the 1960's Grace became involved with the Parent-Teacher Association, March of Dimes, and Girl Scouts. Throughout her adulthood, her volunteerism was a significant part of her life. She continued giving of herself well into her 80s. Her volunteer groups included Laubach Literacy (teaching adults to read), Presbyterian Nursing Home Board Member, Ontario Community Library, International Toastmistress Club, Kiwanis, Aktion Club, United Methodist Women, and Next Chapter Food Pantry. She also opened her home to a Treasure Valley Community College student from Kenya, and generously supported multiple TVCC Foundation Scholarships, aimed toward young women with average or below grades.
In the late 1960's Ed's Nabisco job took the family to Medford, OR. In December 1969 Grace and Ed bought a Dairy Queen franchise in downtown Ontario, OR. They ran a successful small business and remodeled it to accommodate a larger crowd and an up-to-date menu. They designed it as an old-fashioned ice-cream parlor and built a walk-up window for outside customers. Many times during the Winter Wonderland Parade they sold hot chocolate and hot food to the onlookers. And their Banana Split Sales were a very popular event. Boy! Did they go through a lot of bananas! They sold their business in 1978.
In the early 1980's Grace's career brought her back to banking. She worked at Far West Federal Bank in the West Park Plaza in Ontario, Oregon. She enjoyed her work and had many favorite customers. She retired in the mid 1990's. In retirement Grace and Ed took many adventurous trips; Yellowstone National Park, Nebraska, Glacier National Park and of course the Oregon Coast. A special highlight was a trip to Oberammergau, Germany in 2000 to see the Passion Play.
Grace was always thoughtful and generous with her hospitality. In 1991 she dreamed up an annual family reunion that became known as a Sister Weekend. She relished making up themes and loved creating special surprises of love and gifts for her sisters. There were meticulously planned meals, games, and entertainment. The sisters celebrated un-birthdays and held Yahtzee Tournaments. One memorable year a horse drawn carriage drove up to her house to take her and her astonished sisters for a ride around town. What a special treat! Every year the last Saturday of April was set aside for this wonderful event. She and her sisters were very close. She graciously hosted 20 years of fun, love and laughter.
Grace is preceded in death by her husband, Eldon Hammon; her parents and her siblings, Charles W. Moore (Mae), Monroe, OR, Laura Jean Moore Cowgill (Malon), Payette, ID, Margaret Mae Moore Brandt (Wilbert), Show Low, AZ, Victoria R. Moore Killoran (Ed), Keizer, OR, and Delmar Maurice Moore (Chris), Fayetteville, NC. She is survived by her children, Carmen Ruth Hammon Kumagai (Dale), Ontario, OR, and Kyle E. Hammon (Marcia), La Center, WA. She is survived by her sisters, Leota Ruth Moore Germain (Dale), Pocatello, ID, and Jo Ann Moore Winings (Alfred Burton), Eugene, OR. Aunt Grace also has dozens of nieces and nephews. What a life! Grace was amazing in her generosity and hospitality and incredible in her achievements.
We wish to acknowledge and thank the caring and thoughtful staff of Brookdale Assisted Living of Ontario and Ancora Health and Hospice. Your attentive and generous care made a huge contribution to Grace's quality of life. Suggested memorials in Grace's name could be to any of the groups Mom volunteered for, or a Memorial fund has been started with Payette United Methodist Church. To all who choose to honor her in these ways, we offer our heartfelt thanks.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 1 p.m. at Payette United Methodist Church. The address is 502 N. 11th St., Payette, Idaho 83661. A light meal will follow. All who knew Grace are invited to attend. Grace's remains will be buried later at Evergreen Cemetery in Ontario, OR next to her husband. Arrangements are through Lienkaemper Funeral Chapel - Ontario. www.altogetherfuneral.com to see another copy of her obituary.