Manly B. Hammond

Manly's ancestors arrived at the Colony of Virginia in 1635 from London, England. He was descended from Revolutionary and Civil War veterans.

He was a proud 11th generation farmer.

In his youth, he enjoyed working the land along side his father.

In later years, his farming experiences were what he chose to define him. In 1951, he enlisted in the US Air Force, serving four years.

While stationed at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado, he met Vera Lee Clifton at the USO. She taught him to dance and he won her over with his smooth southern charm.

After marrying, the couple lived in North Denver.

Manly worked as a telephone installer for Mountain Bell, retiring early.

The couple escaped the city and built a home on acreage in Broomfield, Colorado, where he worked the land for nearly 40 years.

Manly especially enjoyed going to the sale barn to buy cows.

He had a small fleet of vintage tractors which broke down occasionally.

He was not the type of man that would spend twenty dollars on a part he could make. He had the talent to make whatever was required.

Among his favorite activities were cutting hay with his old rusty Farmall tractor or cursing at the Denver Broncos, while drinking his favorite beverage called a Big Orange.

Even in his 80's, Manly was unstoppable. He would strap his oxygen tank onto a lawn tractor and ride around the farm doing chores a much younger man couldn't do.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Vera Lee Hammond; Daughters, Debbie Thompson (Missouri) and Judy Proctor (Denver); Son-in-law, Ron Proctor; Grandchild, Cheryl Diamond; Great-grandchildren, Phillip Escobedo and Reagan Diamond; Grandchild, Michelle McRill; Great-grandchildren, Ellie McRill and Rory McRill.