Memorial Mass scheduled for Lemoore teacher and coach August 16 at St. Peter's

In Moscow, he met and married his wife of 59 years, Cathy Fitzgerald (she was always Catherine to him).  They moved to Coeur d’Alene where they began a family while Coach Hammond led the Coeur d’AleneHigh School football team for seven years.  In 1962, after attending a coaching clinic, Jim took a job as the head coach for LemooreHigh School having never seen or heard of the town before.  Jim and Cathy often laughed over the fact that when Jim came home to tell her about the new job, they pulled out a map of California only to find that Lemoore wasn’t on it.

During his 25 years at Lemoore High School, Jim was a basketball, golf, track and football coach as well as a teacher and Athletic Director.  At the helm of the Lemoore High football team, Jim perfected a no-huddle offense he began developing in Idaho.  Lemoore became one of the top football programs in the San JoaquinValley winning numerous league championships, often going undefeated.

Wins and statistics don’t tell the whole story however, as Coach Hammond, a gentleman of few words, led by an example of honesty, integrity and accountability.  During his recent illness the family has heard from several former players who have attributed much of their success in life to their coach.  One former player echoed the sentiments of many when he said, “He took boys and made them men…not just a coach…a maker of men.”

In 1971, Jim and Cathy started the Hammond Swim School, where Jim brought his patience and calm presence, as well as his famous whistle, to teach swimming (and life lessons) to scores of Kings County youth.  The school, which remains in operation today under daughter Mary Hill, has turned out over 25,000 new swimmers.

After retiring, Coach continued to follow football rarely missing a Tiger game and spending much of the season in front of the television.  He always watched as a coach, never a fan, never rooting for a particular team.  He loved to see the game played well.  In addition, he loved surf-fishing, watching his grandchildren’s sporting events, experimenting with new baking recipes and being a husband, father, grandpa and great-grandpa.

Coach Hammond is preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Allene; brother Clifford Hammond; grandchildren Kylie Revious and McKensi Marshall.  He is survived by his wife Cathy; sisters Allene Rae Stephenson of Boise, Bessie Marie Palmer (John) of Boise; children Deborah Green (Ty) of San Luis Obispo, Nancy Evans (Troy) of Hanford, Jim Hammond (Diana) of Santa Maria, Mary Hill (Ron) of Lemoore, and Marion Marshall of Hanford; along with 16 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, palliative care team and hospice care team of Kaweah Delta Hospital, as well as those who called, sent well wishes and provided meals.

Memorial donations can be made to St. Peter’s Building Fund, 870 N. Lemoore Ave., Lemoore, CA93245, St. Jude Children’s ResearchHospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Children’s Hospital of Central California, 9300 Valley Children’s Place, Madera, CA  93636-8762.