Theodore "Ted" Arthur Hamman

Ted was born on April 2, 1959 in Cincinnati, Ohio – the fourth child and only son of Jack and Mitzi Hamman.

Unarguably the best to ever do it, Ted led with his faith, followed with his heart, and never walked backwards. Blooming where he was planted, Ted grew up in Clarksville, Indiana, married his soulmate Anna (Couch) of Sellersburg in 1981, and raised his five children, Laine (Kyle), Bailey (Kevin), Madison (An), Mallory (Adam), and Cassidy (Scott), around the corner from his own childhood home. It was at this house on Elmwood Drive where he could be found with a glass of wine blaring Andrea Bocelli while he cooked a Sunday meal or deciding when to announce that year's Snow Picnic – where he'd invite the entire neighborhood to his driveway for a bonfire, hot cocoa, and hot dogs (and maybe a nip of bourbon) on the first measurable snow of the season.

His knack for predicting snowstorms developed during his 30+ years at UPS Airlines where he seemed to always befriend a company meteorologist and eagerly share what "the guys at work are saying." He was particularly proud of the three diamonds on his retirement watch – but we all know UPS got the better end of the deal.

As hard of a worker as Ted was, he had his priorities straight: God was always first followed by family. Family spring breaks were spent at the Clearwater Beach Hotel feeding seagulls. Summers were spent at St. George Island or Mexico Beach with beach bonfires with his sisters’ families: Jackie (Jim), Faith (Dan), and the late Lisa (Robbie). He never met a beach he didn't like.

Once the kids were out of the house, Grandma and Grandpa, AKA "Copper and Magoo," moved to Memphis, Indiana and built a home that would later be dubbed The Hamman Landing. Ted bought a tractor, and Elmwood's snow picnics evolved into larger Octoberfests on the property to accommodate the growing clan. The term 'Landing' was earned when he and Anna decided to enlist the land as an official Monarch Waystation in Indiana. He found joy in returning the land to its natural state – full of native grasses, colorful wildflowers, and plenty of milkweed to allow Anna to care for all her butterfly babies (over 200 this year!).

His 2019 retirement meant he and Anna could travel the roads, seas, and skies, visiting Mother Ocean an astonishing amount, though it was somehow still not enough. In between beach trips and a full calendar of grandkids' sports - they'd add national parks and foreign countries whenever possible. They always returned to The Landing with full hearts, where his beloved dog, Mo, and cat (re)Pete were waiting for him. Not to mention his duties as the Founder & President of Grandpa's Good Guys' Club. Current membership: Emerson, Theodore, Keenan, Hudson, Annie, Naomi, Nadine, Maybelline, Nora, Gunner, Lowen, Branch, Graham, Deacon, and Tesslyn.

He'd want us all to remember to light the good candles, and a "note to self" found after his passing reminds us there are four things you can never get back: trust, your words, time, and saying yes.

A memorial visitation will take place on Thursday, September 24, 2026 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Kraft Funeral Service, 2776 Charlestown Road, New Albany, Indiana with a Celebration of Life at 4:00 pm in the same location.