Sunday, December 6, 2020
Condolences to the Hammond family on behalf of my sister, Helen Brown, and myself. JD was our second-cousin, two days older than me, and my best pal during our "growing up" days. Both of us farm lads, we spent sunny summer days playing in dusty old hay barns, damming up creeks and playing catch. Many Sunday dinners were enjoyed at his Goodpasture grandparent's home and afterwards we would play lawn croquet along with younger cousin Charles Bethel. JD was an avid Bosox fan, Ted Williams his sports hero. One lasting memory is of game 7 of the 1946 World Series, Red Sox vs. my team, the Cardinals. The high school boys had a softball game that day and the lower grades were dismissed to watch. JD brought a small radio and we listened to the game, a sad day for the Sox who lost and a disappointment for my pal. One grade school enterprise was a comic book swapping scheme involving others our age. Later, in high school days, JD became adept with a pool cue and won many 8-ball games at a nickel apiece. He was a jazz music fan and had a Stan Kenton album collection that he tried to subject me to, but my tastes then ran more to Hit Parade pop and folk genres. Then college came and we went to different schools, chose different careers and just drifted out of contact with each other. JD introduced me to Marian at his mother's home in Maitland, probably about the time of their marriage. I don't think we met again until 2001 at our 50th high school class reunion when JD emceed the program. Well, what can I say. We lost a very good man and I can only wish the best for his family and others who will miss him. David Roberts
