John Jeffrey Hamn, Sr.
John Jeffrey Hamn, Sr., 82, passed away peacefully from prostate complications on Monday, October 28, 2024.
Born on Jan. 30, 1942, in Montgomery, Al., Jeff was the first child of John Bostick Hamn and Therese Grote Gross. He grew up surrounded by family, with loving grandparents and aunts and uncles who took a special interest in his well-being. In fact, his Aunt Ollie let him hunt birds at her home in the country, a hobby that would ignite a lifelong passion for wingshooting and the outdoors. After graduating from Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery, Jeff went on to attend Troy State University and the University of Alabama at Huntsville where he received degrees in both Science and Engineering.
After marrying his sweetheart, Brenda Elizabeth Law in 1966, they began their life together, balancing his work in the aerospace industry, his service in the Army National Guard and his time at the skeet club while finally settling down in Chattanooga, to raise their three children. In 1975 Jeff and his good friend Ken Hall started a new venture that would later become Chattanooga Shooting Supplies. Based in Chattanooga for over 48 years, this family-owned business has become a leader in the hunting and shooting industry.
In his later years, Jeff went on to create Oak Woods, the family farm where he spent countless hours with his children and grandchildren. Whether it was duck hunting on a crisp Saturday morning or watching the sunset on a hot summer evening, Jeff was always happiest at the farm. In addition to father, grandfather, sportsman and entrepreneur, Jeff’s greatest legacy was that of caregiver. His beloved wife of 55 years had early-onset Parkinson’s Disease and Jeff was a patient and dedicated caregiver to her throughout the final years of her life.
Ever ready with a joke or a story guaranteed to make you laugh, Jeff was a delight to be around unless an Alabama football game was on. A lifelong Alabama fan, he never missed a game and would stand up, sit down, pace the room, clap when his team scored a touchdown or grumble when they made a bad play. A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Jeff held various positions of service in the Brainerd Ward congregation. He exemplified the love of his Savior through his generosity of time and in the small kindnesses he showed to everyone he knew.
Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Therese Grote Gross and John Bostick Hamn, step-mother, Muriel DeLorise Williams, sister, Susan Tina, and his wife, Brenda Law Hamn.
Jeff is survived by his sons, John Jeffrey Hamn, Jr. and Charles Thomas Hamn (Helene) and his daughter, Therese Elizabeth Hamn Parker; his grandchildren, Clare Augusta Hamn, William Watson Hamn, James Rowan Hamn, Aden Slone Parker, John Houston Hamn, Tucker Scott Venable, Tyson Alexander Venable and Lakin Elizabeth Venable; his brother Ralph Hamn (Linda), and sisters Karen Seamon, Gayle Fisher, Georgia Burns, and Sydney Carroll (Clay).
The family will receive visitors on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Signal Mountain Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 1160 Ridgeway Avenue, Signal Mountain, Tn. The funeral service will be held immediately following at 1 p.m.
The family thanks all of the caregivers, sitters, nurses and the staff at Alexian Village for their tender care of Jeff during his time there.
In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation to the Ducks Unlimited conservation programs at www.Ducks.org or the Parkinson’s Foundation at www.Parkinson.org.
Please share your thoughts and memories online at www.ChattanoogaValleyViewChapel.com
Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Valley View Chapel, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421.