Earl Fant Hamm, 80, of Flemingsburg, died Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008 in Sun City Center, Fla. He is survived by his wife, Marian Harding Hamm.
Earl was born in Fleming County, Oct. 21, 1927, to the late James Marshall Hamm and Mina Edna Lightner Hamm. He was a retired president of the Peoples Bank.
He is also survived by a son, Earl F. (Chip) (Amy) Hamm Jr. of Louisville; two daughters, Melinda Hamm (Mark) Thomas and Nancy Jean (Jeff) Donovan, both of Ewing; two brothers, Clyde Warford (Jane) Hamm of Louisville and James Lewis (Mary Bruce) Hamm of Naples, Fla; six grandchildren, Elijah Wesley Thomas, Chaeli Thomas (Steven) Glass, Sarah Lyn Donovan, Adam Casey Donovan, Liam Anderson Hamm, Eva Katherine Hamm; and one great-grandchild, Jeremiah Scott Glass.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Nannie Pearl Fromma.
Services were Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Flemingsburg Christian Church with the Rev. Norman Wasson and the Rev. Peter Morgan officiating. Burial followed in the Elizaville Cemetery in Elizaville. Arrangements by Denton-Workman Funeral Home in Flemingsburg.
Donations may be made to the Fleming County Hospital Building Fund at P.O. Box 388, Flemingsburg, Ky. 41041 or the Flemingsburg Christian Church Scholarship Fund at P.O. Box 148, Flemingsburg, Ky. 41041.
Separate obituary from same source
Fleming County mourns the loss of a prominent businessman, a great community leader, and a loved friend, father and grandfather. Earl Hamm, 80, died Jan. 29 in Florida when a woman ran over him with her car. Hamm and his long-time friend, John Browning were changing their golf shoes in the parking lot of the Apollo Beach golf course when Valerie Green, 83, of Apollo Beach, asked for help. Hamm was guiding Green as she attempted to get turned around. She mistakenly accelerated the car while it was in reverse, hitting Hamm, crossing traffic, and ultimately crashing into a condominium. The Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office reports that Green was unhurt. She was driving to the voting polls when she got lost and pulled into the golf course parking lot to ask Hamm and Browning for help. At this time, no charges have been filed against Green.
Originally from Flemingsburg, Earl and his wife Marian liked to spend their winter months at their Florida home at King’s Point in Sun City Center. Mr. Hamm enjoyed golfing, watching UK sports, fishing, gardening, and grilling juicy steaks for friends and family. He was married to his wife Marian Harding Hamm for 58 years. He was the father to three, grandfather to six, and great-grandfather to one.
Earl Hamm may be best known for his tenure at the Peoples Bank, where he served as president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board. Under his leadership, the bank’s assets multiplied from $10 million to over $100 million. Hamm retired in 1997. Earlier in his career, Earl worked as an office manager for the Production and Marketing Administration for Fleming County, then worked as Secretary-Treasurer with Gorman Construction, where he assumed responsibilities as Executive Officer in 1968. Hamm was also a farmer. After selling his farms, he continued to work outdoors in vegetable and flower gardens at his homes in Flemingsburg and Ewing.
As important to him as his career was his community. Hamm served as a councilman of Flemingsburg for two terms and also served as Vice Mayor. Hamm was a charter member of the Kiwanis Club in Fleming County when it originated in 1949. He served on the Board of Directors, a President, and was named outstanding Kiwanian of the Year in 1956. A member of Fleming Lodge #30, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, he served as its Noble Grand and Trustee for 46 years. In 1965, Hamm became a member of the incorporaters of the Fleming County Golf Association. He served as a Board of Director, Treasurer, and President. Hamm served on the Board of Directors of the Fleming County Hospital, Fleming County Library, Kentucky Crushed Stone Association, and Fleming County Industrial Authority. He was an Honorary Chairman and Board member of the Fleming County Hospital Foundation. In 1997, Hamm was honored as Citizen of the Year by the city of Flemingsburg Chamber of Commerce. His contributions to the community and family were profound. Hamm was a generous man who loved helping other people. His legacy will live through his family and friends, who will never forget his spirit of generosity, hospitality, and community service.
Earl Fant Hamm was born October 21, 1927, to the late James Marshall and Edna Lightner Hamm. He is survived by his wife Marian Harding Hamm and his three children Melinda (Mark) Thomas, Nancy (Jeff) Donovan, and Earl “Chip” (Amy) Hamm, six grandchildren, Chaeli (Steven) Glass, Elijah Wesley Thomas, Sarah Lynn Donovan, Adam Casey Donovan, Liam Anderson Hamm, and Eva Katherine Hamm, and one great-grandchild, Jeremiah Scott Glass. Surviving siblings are Clyde (Jane) Hamm and James (Mary) Hamm and sister-in-law Jean Harding McKee. He was preceded in death by his sister Nan Hamm Fromma. Hamm is survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
Contributions may be made in the memory of Earl Hamm to Fleming County Hospital Building Fund or The Flemingsburg Christian Church.