John Hammond, Jr.

John G. Hammond, Jr., 73, of Spartanburg, SC, died Friday, October 31, 2014, at his home. Born May 5, 1941, in Lancaster, SC, he was the son of the late John G. Hammond, Sr. and Alberta Mothershed Hammond. A loving husband, father, and grandfather, John enjoyed spending time with his family and serving his church. He was a member of the 1959 Lancaster High School State Football Championship Team. He graduated in 1960 from Lancaster High School where he was voted "Friendliest", was a 1962 graduate of Wingate University, and was the Wingate Distinguished Alumnus of the Year in 2006. He served with the SC Highway Patrol for 31 years and retired as a Corporal First Class. On October 8, 1983, John was selected out of 750 troopers as the 1983 Trooper of the Year and was presented the award by Governor Dick Riley. Following his retirement from the Highway Patrol, he worked for the Woodland Heights Recreation Center and the Achieve Program with the Workforce Investment Board. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Spartanburg where he was a deacon. He was also a member of Fairforest Masonic Lodge and a Shriner as well as a member of the Board for the Wingate University Bulldog Club. Survivors include his beloved wife of 53 years, Bonnie Hall Hammond; children, Mark Hammond (Ginny) and their children, Matthew, Ross, and Grace; Vance Hammond (Dena) and their children, Ella and John, all of Spartanburg, SC; and Kay Fleming (HJ) and their children, Annie and Mary Beth, all of Greenville, SC; brother, Ray Hammond of Spartanburg, SC; and sister, June Craig of Lancaster, SC. Visitation will be 1:00-2:30 PM Sunday, November 2, 2014, at First Baptist Church of Spartanburg, 250 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29306. Funeral services will follow at 3:00 PM, at the church, conducted by the Rev. Sal Barone and the Rev. Dennis Tessnier. A graveside service will be conducted at 2:00 PM Monday, November 3, 2014, in Lancaster Memorial Park, 1389 Memorial Park Rd., Lancaster, SC 29720. Honorary escort will be active officers and retirees of the SC Highway Patrol. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the John & Bonnie Hammond Athletic Scholarship Fund, c/o Lee Ragsdale, Wingate University Development Office, 220 North Camden Road, Wingate, NC 28174. The family is at the home. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of John G. Hammond, Jr. please visit our Sympathy Store.