James M. “Jimmy” Hammond, 82, of Falmouth, passed away on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at the VA Hospital in Cincinnati, OH.
Born on February 18, 1940, in Portsmouth, OH, he was a son of the late Claude Hammond and Carrie Wood Hansen.
A gifted athlete from a young age, Jimmy Hammond played basketball for the Falmouth High School Red Devils from 1956-1960, scoring 2,132 points and 1,380 rebounds, currently ranking 13th all-time in state history. When #12 took the court, he made the most of every minute, under the leadership of mentor FHS Coach Cecil Hellard. As a high school student, Jimmy washed cars at Pinky Frazier’s used car lot on Saturdays, and during the summer, he worked on a Pepsi truck delivering product to support himself.
On January 25, 1964, he married the love of his life, Juanita June Miracle Hammond, and his dear wife and most loyal cheerleader of 51 years preceded him in death on July 27, 2015. Together, they raised their daughter Jaime, made priceless memories with family and friends, and faithfully followed the UK Wildcats.
In 1968, he joined the Falmouth Police Department as a patrolman. On March 24, 1970, Jimmy transferred to the Covington Police Department, working in Kenton County and earning the distinction of detective in 1979 while volunteering with the Covington Fire Department, until his retirement in December 1989.
Late in 1989, he returned to Falmouth to serve as police chief, at the request of Falmouth City Council, until 1992, when Jimmy accepted the newly created position of Pendleton County Community Corrections Officer. In 1997, he ran for mayor, replacing Max Goldberg, and for two years he proudly led the community dear to him, filled with the people who had influenced his life in so many ways.
From 2002-2008, Jimmy served as a Pendleton County Sheriff’s Deputy and a bailiff.
In recognition of his athletic accomplishments, he was inducted into the Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame, the 10th Region Basketball Hall of Fame and the Pendleton County Athletic Hall of Fame. Dear family friend Bob Byrd captures the triumph of his life story in his book, The Jimmy Hammond Story. Jimmy faithfully served in the U.S. Army/ Merchant Marine and belonged to the Hardin-Browning Post #109 and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). Always optimistic and finding a reason to smile, Jimmy Hammond will be remembered for what he meant to Falmouth, KY, on and off the court, and what Falmouth, KY, meant to him.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by sisters Mary Ann Hammond, Carrie Mae Scott, Bessie Devenny, and Maude McDowell; brothers Charles King, William King, and Ray Hammond.
Surviving to cherish his memory are his daughter and caregiver, Jaime Hammond (Brent Dunaway) of Berry, KY; granddaughters Brooke Dunaway, Whitney Dunaway, and Taylor Dunaway; sisters: Hazel Askin of Brooksville, KY and Brenda Eckler of Cynthiana, KY; and a host of extended family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at Woodhead Funeral Home, Falmouth, with Kevin Barnard officiating, and special remembrances by Jaime Hammond and Bob Byrd. The visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. preceding the service at the funeral home.
Interment with full military honors by the Hardin-Browning Post #109 will take place at the Riverside Cemetery, Falmouth.
Memorials are suggested to the Hardin-Browning Post #109: 111 Montjoy Street, Falmouth, KY 41040.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.woodheadfuneralhome.com.