Eugene "Gene" Hammond

Hammond Eugene "Gene" Hammond, 90, of Lancaster, passed away on August 30, 2016 after a brief illness. He was born in New Floodwood in Athens County to the late William and Daisy Mae (West) Hammond on December 30, 1925. After graduation from Buchtel High School in 1944, Gene proudly served his country as a Machinists Mate 3C in the United States Navy during World War II aboard the USS Lacerta. His ship received a battle star for providing support for the invasion of Okinawa, witnessed the surrender of Japanese forces in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945 and ferried allied troops back to their homelands in the Pacific after the war until his Honorable Discharge in 1946. He then moved to Lancaster in the 1950's and worked for Western Electric Columbus Works until his retirement in 1987. He had 27 years of service as a tool & die maker and was a proud member of Local 2020 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Gene is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Rick and Ann (Probasco) Hammond of Lancaster and Randy and Jackie (Dreier) Hammond of Canal Winchester; grandchildren, Danielle (Nick) Rasper of Crystal Lake, IL, Brandon (Amanda) Hammond of Lithopolis, Drew Hammond of Athens, Brittany (Michael) Slaven of West Chester, OH and Alisha (Jason) Burcham of New Carlisle, OH; great-grandchildren, Emma and Levi Rasper; many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his longtime friend, Clara Fox, their special dog, Benji; and Gene's ex-wife, Margaret "Maggie" Hammond with whom he remained close friends. He was preceded in death by all of his siblings: brothers Earl, Raymond, Delbert, Belford, Sylvester, Leo and William, sisters Pearl, Mildred, Helen, Florence, Doris, June, Faye and Donna. Funeral service will take place at SHERIDAN FUNERAL HOME at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 with Pastor Larry Kirby officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery. Family and friends may visit from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Monday, September 5, 2016 at the SHERIDAN FUNERAL HOME. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to FairHoPe Hospice (282 Sells Rd., Lancaster, OH 43130) or Whiskers Animal Welfare (P.O. Box 127, Lancaster, OH 43130) in Gene's memory.