September 11, 1924 – February 9, 2020
Jay Warren Hammack, 95, Sheridan, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Sunday morning, February 9, 2020. Born September 11, 1924 in Hamilton County, he was the son of the late Emil and Icie (Gray) Hammack.
After graduating from Sheridan High School with the Class of 1942, Jay proudly served his country during WWII. He was attached to the 1st Cavalry Division of the United States Army, receiving an Asiatic Pacific medal, Army of Occupation medal, and a WWII victory medal.
Jay worked for many years with Stahl Brothers Lumber Company before hiring on with Biddle Screw Products in Sheridan. He worked with the heat treating and metal tempering machines for 32 years before taking his retirement.
You would be hard pressed to find many people who loved puttering around their property as much as Jay did. Messing around in the garden could keep him busy for hours. He grew peanuts, cotton and just about anything else you could imagine; if he could get the seeds or the starts, he’d give it a try. Jay was also very, VERY meticulous about the yard. He loved mowing his own yard and was able to do so until August of 2019. At that point everything changed. The kids took over the mowing responsibilities, and shortly thereafter the first unsightly weeds were discovered, documented, and made known by management. Although the exact conversation is unknown, the situation was quickly rectified.
Jay also had a passion for photography. He loved taking photos, and as the technology advanced, he embraced it and fell in love all over again. The digital age allowed him the opportunities to convert his older photos and movie reels to newer formats so he could share them with family and friends more easily. Jay also loved to listen to Big Band and Swing music; Guy Lombardo was his favorite band leader.
Jay was a loving husband and father, but grandpa was the role he was built for. He loved following all of their activities. He was a loyal Blackhawk fan and enjoyed following Andy’s games.
Jay is survived by his daughter, Rebecca Aldred (Michael), Sheridan; three sons, Jeffrey Hammack, Indianapolis, Roger Hammack, Sheridan, and Chris Hammack, Indianapolis; four grandchildren, Andrew Aldred (Amy), Angola, Diana Aldred-Griffin (Matthew), Westfield, Heather Hammack-Cochenour (Jesse), Columbus, and Ryne Hammack, Indianapolis; two great-grandchildren, Ellie and Quinn Aldred, both of Angola; and by his brother, David Hammack (Carole), Brownsburg.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two infant siblings, Wilma Jean Hammack and Edwin Gene Hammack; and by his loving wife, Dorothy M. (Irick) Hammack on November 17, 2018. She and Jay were married in 1947.
The family would like to thank the doctors and nursing staff at Witham Hospital, Suburban Hospice and Homewood Health Campus for their wonderful care.
There are no services being planned at this time. Jay will be laid to rest at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan.
Kercheval Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com