Johnny Mack Hammons

He was born September 12, 1936 in the Wilhite Community in Downsville, LA in rural Union Parish to Mr. and Mrs. Delton Hammons. He grew up with an older sister, Jean and a younger brother Lester. Johnny attended school at Downsville LA and after graduation in 1955 did a four year tour in the Army including time spent in Germany working in helicopter maintenance. This was an experience that helped shape the rest of his life. After leaving the military, he lived in Ferriday, LA where he met and married Betty Hammons.

They moved to Jackson Mississippi where Johnny’s work ethic allowed his dreams to take shape. He was an innovator and inventor, attributes that led him to be an entrepreneur in the diesel engine service industry. As a pioneer in the specialty field of pumps and injectors , he held several patents relating to the development of equipment and techniques for the remanufacture of these components. After many successful years in Jackson, he and Betty moved to a farm in Mendenhall, MS where he set up shop and continued to work in the diesel industry. Here he found time to indulge in his passions of raising gardens and raising fish.

Johnny was a compassionate man of many virtues who served as a leader, a mentor, a boss, husband, father, and friend to all. He saw the good in everyone, opened his heart and home to the needy and less fortunate, was a philanthropist and had a benevolent heart we should all strive to emulate.

He was preceded in death by his parents Delton and Earline Hammons, his wife Betty of 25 years, and a stepson, Darrell Gunter.

His survivors include his son Dakota Hammons of Mendenhall, MS; sister, Jean Kennedy of Ruston LA; brother, Lester Hammons and wife Jean of West Monroe LA; stepdaughter Glenda and husband, Randy Tuminello of Sumner, WA; grandchildren, Dusti Carrington and husband Micah of Jackson; Davis Gunter of Ridgeland; Ami Beck, David and Philip Tuminello; and four great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Tuesday, June 28th from 5 – 8pm at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl. Funeral services will be at 2pm Wednesday, June 29, 2011 in the funeral home chapel with interment to follow at Floral Hills Memory Gardens in Pearl.