James (Jim) W Hammond was born in Memphis, TN, on May 13, 1940, to Mary Molpus Hammond and James W. Hammond. He grew up all over the Southeast, but graduated from Bellaire High in Houston, where he was a standout in basketball. He went to Southern Methodist University on a basketball scholarship and served as captain of the 1962 SMU men’s basketball team, which was Southwest Conference co-champions that year. Upon graduation, he went to work for the Robert S. Folsom Company. Throughout his career he worked in real estate, the oil business and the restaurant industry.
In 1980 he married the love of his life, Kay Rea Harmon. He lovingly referred to her as “Kay Baby” and his “Sweet Babboo”. They had 41 great years together and lived a life full of love and laughter. Jim was the consummate people person, with many friends from all walks of life. He was well-known for his rigorous work outs, his fierce loyalty, his colorful and interesting stories, his clearly stated views on multiple topics, loved going to dinner with friends, having a few beers and, on occasion, enjoying a good cigar. In November of 2021, Jim was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of thyroid cancer which, after surgery, prevented him from being able to enjoy all those favorite things.
Jim loved both traveling the world with Kay and their friends and taking all 6 children and 16 grandchildren on fabulous trips in the summer. Over the years he traveled with many groups of friends on golfing trips, with one particular golf group known as “The Magnificent Seven”, who were his life-long friends from Bellaire High.
Jim loved the Lord and attended Highland Park United Methodist ,where he served on several committees over the years under his good friend, senior pastor Rev. Mark Craig.
In addition to Kay, Jim is survived by his four children, Jeffrey Hammond of Puerta Vallarta, Tracy Hammond Cullens of Dallas, Jonathan Hammond of California, Julie Hammond Goff of California, and Kay’s two children, Kim Harmon Gatlin and James Paul Harmon, both of Dallas. He had 16 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
Our lives were richer because of Jim. He was generous and a grateful man, who we will remember with joy-filled memories and sorrow-filled hearts.
A celebration of life will be held at Highland Park United Methodist Church on Thursday, June 2, 2022, at 3:00pm, with a reception following.
In memory of Jim, please consider gifts to AWARE Dallas, 25 Highland Park Village, Suit 101-485, Dallas, Texas, 75205 (www.AWAREDallas.org) or to The Center for Brain Health, 1966 Inwood, Dallas, Texas, 75235 (www.centerforbrainhealth.org).
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com for the Hammond, family.
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