John Austin Hammons

John A. Hammons, 87 a longtime Fort Sumner, NM resident died Friday, December 7, 2001 at Providence Memorial Hospital in El Paso. John was born October 8, 1914 in Cotton County, Devol, Oklahoma, to the home of Henderson Austin Hammons and the former Edna Miller. He was reared and attended school at McAdoo, Texas. Following graduation John worked for the Harvey Group at the Grand Canyon, he helped build trails down the canyon and later drove a tour bus. John joined the C.C.C. camps and ended up in Yeso and Fort Sumner. John married Myrtle King on September 21, 1940 at Las Vegas, New Mexico. They made their home in Durant, Oklahoma and Dallas, Texas. They returned to Fort Sumner in 1942 where began work for the United States Department of Agriculture. John served on the A.S.C.S. Committee in De Baca County for many years, and as the county Civil Defense Coordinator. John was a past member of the Board or Directors for Eastern New Mexico Natural Gas Company. John enjoyed playing golf, hunting and trout fishing. He was a great supporter of his children and grandchildren and enjoyed attending their school activities. He was preceded in death by his wife Myrtle King Hammons on August 16, 1999; two brothers Jake Hammons, and Alvin Daniels, two sisters Hazel Davenport and Thelma Horne. Survivors include two sons Bill Hammons and wife Donileta of El Paso, Texas, Gene Hammons and wife Janie of Houston, Texas; one brother Bill Hammons of Aztec, NM; also surviving are six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren along with many other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, December 11, 2001 at the Fort Sumner Church of Christ with Allan Sparks and Perry Zumwalt officiating. Burial will follow in the family plot at Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandsons Jon Hammons, Douglas Hammons, Daniel Hammons, Benjamin Hammons, Matthew Hammons, and Jacob Hammons. Honorary bearers will be all his friends and neighbors. Visitation will be at the funeral home until 6PM Monday and from 9AM to 10AM at the church on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials to the Fort Sumner Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 180, Fort Sumner, NM 88119. All arrangements were entrusted to Chavez Funeral Home 804 North Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, New Mexico.