James Arthur “Jim” Hammond, 68, of Beaumont, left this world peacefully Wednesday, July 10, 2013, at Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth, Beaumont.
Jim, a lifelong resident of the Golden Triangle, was born November 16, 1944, in Orange. After attending school in Orangefield and graduating from Lamar University, Jim enrolled in the United States Air Force serving our country. After being honorably discharged, Jim returned to the Golden Triangle and began working for Mobil Oil Refinery in Beaumont as an instrumentation technician and retired after twenty-three years of loyalty.
In 1979, Jim married the great love of his life, Jo Marie, who he lovingly referred to as “Precious”. When Jim and Jo Marie married, Jim became an instant father to Jo Marie’s three children, Rodney, Kimberly and Lorilyn. Jim immediately stepped up to the plate displaying his heart of gold and loving the children as if they were his own, helping raise them while being a pillar of strength within their family. Once the children grew up and began having families of their own, Jim embraced being a grandfather to Kialey, Baylor and Piper and relished any time that he could spend doting on them.
Jim was an avid fisherman and had a passion for sports. There was never a day that he didn’t have a fishing story to share, and he could talk about sports for as long as the audience was willing to listen. Jim also had a witty sense of humor and loved telling jokes to his friends and family. He truly believed that laughter was the best medicine.
Jim always had a smile on his face and a glimmer in his eye. He taught his loved ones by example some of the finest and most valuable lessons in life. He was a kind and compassionate man who believed in putting others first and helping those in need, whether he knew them or not. Jim was strong in his faith and lived by the notion that God is always in control. He drew positivity and strength from his faith that allowed him to always see the glass as half full and approach adversity as “just another little bump in the road”. Even while experiencing so many uncomfortable and burdensome health issues over the past few years, Jim remained a loving and kind spirit who “walked the walk” and continued to shine his bright smile no matter the situation.
Jim is survived by his wife of thirty-four years, Jo Marie Hammond; children, Rodney Harmon of League City, Kimberly Harmon of Houston, and Lorilyn Wiebusch and her husband, Nathan, of Dickinson; grandchildren, Kialey Harmon, Baylor Wiebusch, and Piper Wiebusch; and sisters, Beverly Force and her husband, Eugene, of Orange; Betty Arnold and her husband, James, of Bridge City; and Ella Ruth Crofut and her husband, Sonny, of Corsicana.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James and Bessie Hammond; and sister, Brenda Struber.
A gathering of Mr. Hammond’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Monday, July 15, 2013, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 16, 2013, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Haven of Rest Cemetery, Beaumont.
