On Sunday, January 1, 2017, John W. Hamm, Jr., CMSgt, USAF (Ret) of Ellicott City, MD. Loving husband of Linda (nee Hughes); proud father of Shawn H. Hamm, Andrea Cochran, and the late Vallie Jean Finegold (Murray); beloved stepfather of Rob Gontrum (Gloria), Leah Ross (Jeff), Kristine Lockwood (John), and Scott Gontrum (Gretchen); embraced as "Grandpa John" by Ryan, Eric, Rachael, Taylor, Eli, Natalja, Abigail, Sarah, Brooke, and Ava. Predeceased by his parents, John W. Hamm, Sr., and Dorothy (nee Lawrence), stepmother Vallie Jean, and sister Mary V. Cross. He is survived by his sister Dorothy J. Hart.
Born on November 6, 1936 in Memphis, Tennessee, to John W. Hamm, Sr. and Dorothy (nee Lawrence), John graduated from Treadwell High School then pursued cryptography and linguistic studies during his career with the Air Force and subsequent government civil service. His interests included chess, literature, airpower, military history, and the Great Smoky Mountains. During his retirement he wrote two books: In the Vale (2008) and Out of the Vale (2012). He was a member of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, St. Petersburg, Florida and St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Ellicott City, Maryland. Services 11:00 a.m. on January 7, 2017 at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Ellicott City, Maryland. Inurnment in the St. Peter's Columbarium. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Peter's Episcopal Church.

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