James W. Hammonds Sr.

HAMMONDS, James W. Sr.,-- 87, passed away peacefully on November 19, 2003, at his home. A native of Floydada, Texas, he has been a resident of Los Altos since 1955. Captain Hammonds was with TWA for 32 years as an international and domestic captain, instructor and check pilot, with flights around the world. He was made Captain after only 2 years on the job, and traveled to the Far East, Asia, Europe and Africa. He was a flight instructor during WWII in Vernon, Texas, and experienced the transition from barnstormer planes to jets. His early days were spent on the family farm in Texas, where he learned to drive tractors and other vehicles at an early age. Growing up around this farm equipment helped him develop a knack for machines, and he was known throughout his life as someone who could fix just about anything. He was proud of his Texas heritage and had a strong sense of family history, and often told stories about his ancestors who settled the area. Mr. Hammonds was a fat! her figure to the neighborhood kids in Los Altos. He taught the boys how to fix cars and build things, and he always told the girls how pretty they were. Up to the end, he held court for visitors in his garage office, where he loved to play dominoes and tell stories. He was the loving husband of Madelene Lutticken Hammonds (married since 1982). He was predeceased by his first wife, Lelia Alexander Hammonds, mother of James and Janet, and his siblings Hershel, Ralph, Gloria and Johnny. He is survived by son and daughter-in-law James Jr. and Sandra Hammonds of Los Altos, daughter and son-in-law Janet and James Collinson of Los Altos, grandchildren Jennifer Hammonds Farnham (San Diego), Mariah Hammonds (Los Angeles), Julie Collinson (Santa Barbara) and Justin Collinson (Los Altos), great-grandchildren Grayson and Jaron Farnham (San Diego), and step children James Lutticken and wife Michele Corlette (Booneville) and Carolyn Lutticken (Mtn. View). His lively spirit will be missed by all. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Pathways Hospice in Mountain View or a charity of your choice. A celebration of his life will take place on Friday, November 28 at the Los Altos Youth Center, 1 N. San Antonio Road, Los Altos, from 2:00-3:30 pm. Arrangements by Cusimano Family Colonial Mortuary, Mtn. View.