James L. Hamman, age 78, of Buckhannon, WV died Friday, February 5, 2010 at the United Hospital Center in Clarksburg, WV after a brief illness. He was born December 18, 1931 in Elkins, WV a son of the late Roy S. and Edna Channel Hamman. On October 6, 1951 he was married and devoted to Doris “Babe” Conley and celebrated 58 years of marriage. In addition to his wife, Mr. Hamman is survived by three sons, David Hamman of Snowshoe, WV, Bill Hamman and fiancé Diane McDonald of Winchester, VA and Jeff Hamman of Buckhannon; one daughter, Amy Hall of Buckhannon; four grandsons, Derek Hamman of Snowshoe, Jeremy Hall of Moundsville and Joshua and Nicholas Hamman of Winchester; two granddaughters, Jessica Stump and husband Brian of Snowshoe and Hillary Hamman of Winchester; great grandson, Jayden Hall of South Carolina; one brother, Richard Hamman and wife Ernestine of Peachtree City, GA; Two sisters Anita Kiesel and husband Hank of Carmel, IN, Janet Amiott of Virginia Beach, VA; cousin Herman J. Isner of Kerns, WV and several nieces and nephews. Jim is also survived by his many close friends “the gang” and a family who will always remember his love and caring. He has been the daily caretaker for three loyal four legged buddies, Sammy, Zale, and Teddy who will greatly miss their devoted friend. He attended WV University in 1949, served 4 years in the US Navy from 1952 to 1956, and then returned to work in Akron, OH at B.F. Goodrich for two years. Jim and his family moved to Buckhannon in 1958 to work with his father at Hamman NAPA Auto Parts store; and later when his father retired, was the owner of the business a total of 25 years. He worked at a local bank and retired after 10 years of service and worked at Shop and Save part time until the store closed. He was retired at the time of his death. Jim was active in the community from the beginning as a member and officer in Jaycees and Jaycee programs with youth, Buckhannon Kiwanis Club, was a volunteer fireman for 25 years, he was a member of the Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Buckhannon Community Theater, Past President of Buckhannon Country Club, Buckhannon AARP, officer and trustee of the LOOM, Buckhannon Moose Lodge #598, Member of the Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, and past president of the WV Strawberry Festival. He was an active member of Franklin Lodge #7 AF&AM, Upshur Co. Shrine Club Osiris Temple Wheeling, WV, a long time president of Upshur County Shrine Shuttle Patrol and Upshur County Chapter 34 Royal Arch Masons, American Legion Post #7 and American Legion Honor Guard. He was also a census taker for the last census, and worked the polls in primary and local elections for the past several years. Friends will be received Monday, February 8, 2010 from 4-8 PM at the Poling-st. Clair Funeral Home. Mr. Hamman will lie in state from 12-1 PM the funeral hour at the Chapel Hill United Methodist Church with Dr. Joseph Shreve officiating. Burial will follow at the Heavner Cemetery in Buckhannon. Military Honors will be conducted at the graveside with Buckhannon VFW Post #3663, Frank B. Bartlett Post #7 American Legion, DAV Chapters #5 and #36. Franklin Lodge #7 AF&AM will follow with Masonic graveside rites. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals in Jim’s name at 1645 W. 8th Street, Erie, PA 16505 or online at www.shrinershq.org/hospitals/erie/. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstlcair.com. Poling-st. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
