A celebration of his life is planned, and will be scheduled by the family. Please contact the Summit Ranch at
su*********@gm***.com
for information.
Panoche CA – Gardiner “Jerry” Hammond passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at Stanford Medical Center with his Family at his side.
Jerry was born on October 1, 1927 in Chicago, IL to Gardiner Greene Hammond and Katherine Sheriff Hammond. He is survived by his wife Peggy Hammond, brother Peter Hammond of Palm Desert and companion Margo, sons Gardiner Hammond of Colorado and wife Blaire, Stephen Hammond of San Jose and wife Vicky, and Mitchell Hammond of Alameda, and stepdaughter Michelle Thomas of Hollister and husband Wayne. Also surviving him are seven grandchildren, Gardiner, Tyler, Nicholas, Lindsey, Matthew, Nathan, and Nikolas, one great-grandchild Ryland, and his latest in a long line of German Shepherds, Rowdy.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, sister Marguerite Hammond and first wife Jane (Fisher) Hammond.
Jerry lived his life inspired by a sense of charity, empathy, service and responsibility to family, country and self. He enlisted in the Navy in 1944 and served in the Pacific theater until the end of WWII. He then returned to California and earned a bachelor of arts at San Jose State, and later a masters of business administration at Stanford. During this time he married his first wife Jane, in 1950. They resided in Menlo Park, Ca. where he started a family and a career in insurance and later developed office buildings in Palo Alto.
In 1964, seeking to pursue his passion for western living traditions and raising and caring for all variety of animals and livestock, Jerry acquired the Summit Ranch in south San Benito County at Panoche Pass. He cultivated these passions with some of his favorite activities, horseback riding, livestock brandings, hunting with friends, and always a German Shepherd dog by his side. He loved steak cooked over an oak fire, and cocktails at 5 looking out over the ranch and sharing those with good friends. Jerry developed a multitude of friends and family who spent good times on the ranch sharing the traditions of hunting, fishing and riding. Many a young man or woman have bagged their very first wild game or branded their first calf on the Summit Ranch.
During his years in San Benito County, Jerry served on the Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital Board from 1982 to 1994, served on the Panoche School Board for 40 years, participated in fund raising for many local charities, as well as generously supported many of his favorite causes including the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo. He was a life-time member of the NRA, the California Cattleman’s Association and an avid Republican.
The Family asks for donations in lieu of flowers, to Rabobank, 491 Tres Pinos Road, Hollister CA 95023, in care of the Jerry Hammond Memorial Fund to benefit the Panoche School. Use of Fund moneys will be determined in association with the Panoche School Board and administration.
A Life Well Lived
For condolences, visit www.grunnagle.com
