HAMMER, James Maxwell

HAMMER, MORTIMORE, VANVARK, MATTOX

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 9/3/2020 at 06:38:30

James Maxwell Hammer

James “Jim” Maxwell Hammer died on August 24, 2020, in Urbandale, Iowa at the age of 74. James was born May 19, 1946, in Leon, Iowa to Martin Maxwell “Max” and Gladys Pearl (Mortimore) Hammer. He graduated from Lamoni High School in 1964, Graceland College, and soon after served in the United States Navy. He lived most of his life in Lamoni, Iowa, a community he loved.

Jim will be remembered for his quick wit, sense of humor, compassion, and generosity. He lived a life focused on helping others. He was a Boy Scout and earned his Eagle Scout Award in high school. During college he spent his summers working for the National Park Service in Montana. He served in the United States Navy in Italy and worked for NATO. He was a member of and a Lay Leader in the Lamoni United Methodist Church. Jim was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Lamoni Lions Club. He volunteered in the community whenever needed, served on numerous community betterment committees, was a member of the Lamoni City Council for 10 years, and held the office of mayor for 10 years. In 2005, he was named the Lamoni Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year.

Jim married Barbara Jean (VanVark) Hall on July 17, 1976. Together they raised their children, Todd and Melissa, and built a wonderful life together. Jim and Barb owned Village Cleaners and Tailored Threads in Lamoni. Jim loved to garden, spend time outside, travel, sample cookies whenever offered, sing in the church choir, watch the birds at his bird feeders, operate amateur radios, and focus on his community and his grandchildren. His love for his family knew no limits. He set the standard high for kindness and generosity to others. The disease that robbed him of the joys in his life never took away his sense of humor and loving personality.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Max and Gladys Hammer; and his sister, Mary Mattox.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Hammer; and children, Todd Hall and his wife, Amber Fallacaro and Melissa Sullivan and her husband, Adam; his grandchildren, Ashley, Noah, Adelyn, Dylan, Jane and Will; great grandsons, Dakoda, Jaxon, and Gavyn Lindsey; his brother-in-law, Josh Mattox of Danbury, Wisconsin; niece, Melinda Mattox and husband, Craig Grabitske; and nephew, Mark Mattox and wife, Angie; and many other family members and life-long friends.

Funeral services will be held at the Lamoni United Methodist Church in Lamoni, Iowa at 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 28, 2020, with Pastor Steve McElroy officiating. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Lamoni, Iowa. Open visitation will be on Thursday, Noon – 5 p.m. at the Slade – O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa.

The family has established a memorial fund in Jim’s name.