Rolland Eugene "Gene" Hammond

Rolland Eugene ³Gene² Hammond, 88

BOARDMAN ­ Rolland Eugene ³Gene² Hammond, 88, passed away on Monday, May 20, 2013, at St. Elizabeth Health Center following complications from surgery.
He was born May 19, 1925, in Orrville, one of seven children to Oscar O. and Cora Mae Nixon Hammond.
He had a degree in industrial engineering and had been a plant manager for the Truscon Division of Republic Steel. He retired after 31 years.
Gene was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving during World War II. He was honored to be on Admiral Nimitz staff in the Pacific Theatre as an electronic technician¹s Mate Second Class.
Surviving him are his wife, the former Dona Harris Vera, whom he married March 24, 1979; four children, Robert Hammond of Enfield, Conn., Margaret ³Peggy² (John) Lesko and Nancy (Jim) McCreary, all of Boardman and David Hammond of Albuquerque, N.M.; stepson Mark Vera of North Palm Beach, Fla.; and seven grandchildren, Robert Jr. and Erica Hammond, Ryan, Aaron and Beth Mattocks, Courtney and Kaitlyn McCreary.
Also surviving is a brother, Leo Hammond of Hanoverton.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Diana Hammond; a brother, Daniel Raymond; and four sisters, Lemma, Myrtle, Josephine and Laura.
In earlier years, Gene was involved with friends in the racing of midget and sprint cars, and attended many NASCAR races in Daytona. He also enjoyed fishing and was an avid golfer, having had two holes-in-one!
Gene¹s greatest love and enjoyment was his family, his loving wife, Dona, his children and grandchildren¹s endeavors throughout high school and college. Family get-togethers were his greatest joy, as well as spending time with his brother, Leo.
He attended the Westminster Presbyterian Church, and was a member of American Legion, VFW.
Calling hours will be Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 119 Stadium Drive in Boardman with a memorial service to follow at 7 p.m. Military honors will conclude the service.
The family requests that memorial donations be made in Gene¹s honor to the Church Memorial Fund, Salvation Army, POB 4327, Austintown, OH 44515 or to Rescue Mission, 962 Martin Luther King Blvd., Youngstown, OH 44510/ Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.
Arrangements handled by the Davis-Becker Funeral Home.

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