Lt. Harold Hammond, age 66, of 6385 E. Maple Ridge 37th Road; Rapid River (Osier area) passed away Wednesday, March 26th, 2008 at Marquette General Hospital following a lengthy illness.

Harold was born in Thompsonville, Michigan May 16th, 1941, the son of Shurly and Louisa (Pickering) Hammond and was raised in Thompsonville.

He attended Bensonia, Michigan schools and was a 1959 graduate of the Benzonia High School. Harold later attended Transportation School in Minneapolis, Minnesota and went to work for Delta Airlines stationed in Chicago. He subsequently was transferred with Delta Airlines to San Francisco International Airport as a ground supervisor.

In 1967, Harold was hired by the State of Michigan with the Department of Natural Resources as a conservation officer. He spent 11years as an officer in Rudyard, Michigan and was later promoted to Lieutenant with the Baraga office. Harold was transferred in 1985 to Gaylord where he worked until his retirement in 1993.

Harold Hammond was a devoted 25 year member of the Lion’s Club and served with that organization in the localities where he was stationed and lived. He was honored as “Lion of the Year” in 1973 while living in the Rudyard area. His family and friends remembers him as a gentleman,  as a person who was respected by his co-workers, and as an individual who never complained despite his various illnesses.

In addition to his mother and father, Harold was preceded in death by his 24 year old son, Scott.

Harold Hammond’s survivors include:

His wife and high school sweetheart, the former Elaine M. Hanmer, whom he married October 15th, 1960.

A daughter, Julie (Randy) Saatio of Negaunee and his beloved grandchildren, Scott, Brad, and Kristin Saatio, all of Negaunee.

A sister, Marie (Dean) Rhodes of Thompsonville, MI

A Brother, Larry (Ellen) Hammond of Traverse City, MI

And numerous nieces and nephews.

Services celebrating Harold Hammond’s life will be held on Monday at 2:00 p.m. at the Skradski Funeral in Gladstone with memories shared by family and friends. Luncheon will follow services where the Hammond family will visit with friends.