Kenneth Hammon

1925 ~ 2012
SYRACUSE, UT-Kenneth Hammon returned to his loving Heavenly Father on Sunday, August 19, 2012. He was 86 years old. Ken loved his family, his church, and his country.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather and will be deeply missed. He was one of five children born to Marion B. Hammon and Sara Rhea Thurgood.
Ken's first marriage was to Shirley Murphy and they were blessed with four children. They later divorced. On April 24, 1968, he married Barbara Simmons and shared the remainder of his life with his sweet companion. They were later sealed in the Ogden Temple. Ken and Barb raised their family farming, ranching, and horse racing. Many happy times were spent in the outdoors riding horses, camping, hunting, and fishing.
Ken had a strong testimony of the gospel and was able to serve an LDS mission with his wife in Martin's Cove. Later they were called as ordinance workers in the Ogden LDS Temple. His devotion to the gospel has been an example to his family.
Ken loved his country and served in the Army during World War II. He excelled in marksmanship, self-defense and swimming, and was selected to train battalions. During his time in service, he obtained the rank of First Sergeant. He felt he was protected throughout his life by his mother's prayers.
Ken's law enforcement career (1950-1978) brought him great satisfaction. He was a two-term Sheriff of Davis County. During his terms as Sheriff, he was elected President of the Utah Peace Officers Association and the Utah Sheriffs' Association. He was also First Vice President of the National Sheriffs' Association. Ken served on many committees and chaired the Peace Officers Standards and Training Council. He finished his remaining years in law enforcement as Chief Deputy in Salt Lake County. He was instrumental in the modernization of Salt Lake County Sheriffs' Office and management of over 700 personnel. Throughout Ken's career, he was highly respected and loved by the law enforcement community. His work also included sponsoring legislation that pioneered many of the laws that now protect victims and give law enforcement the tools necessary to do their job.
Ken is survived by his wife Barbara, his sister Josie Telford, his children Terri (Steve) Marberger, Kathy (Jerry) Simmons, Mark (Celeste) Hammon, Sue (Ron) Pedersen, Ronnie (Cathy) Wiberg, Merrie Hammon, Stephen Hammon, Michael (Mary) Hammon, Tricia (Terry) Anderson, Jill Snyder, James (Marti) Hammon, Kenny (Jessaca) Hammon, Danny (Courtney) Hammon, and his daughter-in-law Lily Hammon. He has 54 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Howard and Junior Hammon, his sister Lola Creager, his grandson Dusty Simmons, and his beloved son Jeff Hammon.
The Hammon family would like to thank Haven Health Care Hospice, the Davis County Sheriffs' Department, and his granddaughter Kathy Heinsohn who provided such loving care in his final days.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, August 24, 2012 at 11 a.m. at the L.D.S. Syracuse West Stake Center, 1600 South 4500 West, Syracuse, UT. Friends may visit with family on August 23 from 6 to 8 p. m. at Lindquist's Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Rd. and Friday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Stake Center prior to services. Interment, Syracuse City Cemetery.
Condolences may be shared at: www.lindquistmortuary.com