James "Ed" Hammond

James Edward “Ed” Hammond, age 89, passed away Tuesday, February 9, 2021 after a prolonged battle with dementia. Born August 7, 1931 to James Thomas and Lily Mae Hammond in Midville, Georgia, Ed was the second of five children. He spent half of his childhood in Midville, Georgia, and the rest of his childhood in West Palm Beach, Florida. It was in West Palm Beach where he met his wife of 68 years, Sarah Alice Locke. They were married June 1, 1952 and then settled in Ponce de Leon, Florida where they were blessed with two children, Martha Ann and Philip Edward.

Ed started his career as a paper boy delivering to the Palm Beach mansions, and he went on to be Postmaster and rural mail carrier in Holmes and Walton County for 32 years. Ed served his country as an officer in the National Guard for 20 years and went on to dabble in a myriad of business ventures including livestock farming, a motel venture, a timber business, and a real estate venture as a broker. He also served on the Holmes County Hospital Board for 22 years. In his free time, he enjoyed playing golf, turkey hunting, fishing, and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events. Ed was a faithful member of Northside Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for many years.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, James Thomas and Lily Mae Hammond; and his brothers, William Thomas Hammond and Robert Leonard Hammond.

Ed is survived by his wife Sarah Locke Hammond; two children, Martha Hammond Galloway (Hilton) of Enterprise, Alabama, Philip Edward Hammond (Donna) of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida; five grandchildren, Tyler Murphy Hammond (Christina), William Garrett Galloway, Sarah Leanne Galloway Dunaway (Tyler), Emily Helen Galloway Smith (Josh), Channing Hammond Friend (Caylon); six great-grandchildren, Bryce Cyrial Dunaway, Elyse Leanne Dunaway, Chandler Kate Friend, Baylor James Hammond, Carter Patrick Dunaway, and Sarah Caroline Dunaway; brother, James Thomas Hammond Jr.; sister, Beverly Hammond Powell; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank Emerald Coast Hospice and the caregivers who took such great care of Ed at the end of his life, as well as all the friends who visited throughout the years.

Serving as pall bearers are Tyler Hammond, Will Galloway, Tyler Dunaway, Josh Smith, Caylon Friend, Jacob Locke and Keaton Locke. The family will receive visitors on February 12, 2021 at Northside Baptist Church at 10:00 a.m., followed by the service at 11:00 a.m. Graveside services will be held at Ponce de Leon Cemetery.