February 7, 1945-August 14, 2026

Chief Master Sergeant James Ray Hamm (Ret.), who also proudly served as the “World’s Greatest Opa,” departed this life on August 14, 2026, surrounded by family.   

Born on February 7, 1945, in Houston, Texas, Jim was primarily raised by Maude and Nealy Thomas—the sweetest couple to ever grace this earth.  Looking for adventure, he joined the United States Air Force in 1962.  After completing Aircraft and Missile Hydraulic Technical School at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois, his first duty station was at Dyess Air Force Base in Texas.  During his active duty career, he had additional duty assignments at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska, Sondrestrom Air Base in Greenland, Griffiss Air Force Base in New York, and Stewart Air Force Base in New York.  Jim also served two tours of duty in Southeast Asia, where he volunteered to fly in several Operation Blind Bat missions over North Vietnam and Laos while assigned to the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, and also served at Cam Ranh Bay in South Vietnam with the 834th Air Division. 

After leaving the Air Force, Jim joined the Texas Air National Guard in 1972, serving with the 147th Fighter Wing at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas.  He held many positions in the Aircraft Maintenance Group, and retired from his highly-decorated military career as the Aircraft Generation Squadron Branch Chief with over 40 years of military service. 

Meanwhile, Jim met the love of his life, Carol Anne Hackerott, at an Oktoberfest in 1975.  Carol watched as Jim and his friends laughed and stole food off people’s plates when they got up to dance.  She came up with a thinly-veiled excuse to talk to him: “Do you know what time it is?”  The rest is history.  50+ years of history, in fact. 

After a lifetime of service and sacrifice, Jim’s final mission is now complete.  The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and other professionals at Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital for their care and compassion.  

Jim is survived by his wife Carol of 50 years; his daughters Jamie (Drew) Eastman, Jessica (Keith) Eveland, and Stephanie (Jeff) Hamm Sutton; his son David Hamm and fiancée Mandy Day; his GrandJoys Tiara, Nathan, Ashley, Brian, Darin, Danielle, Arianna, Christian, Aven, and Lyanna; his Great GrandJoys Daniella, Easton, Cade, Tatum, Melody, Lincoln, and Sophia; and his brother Jesse (Bobbie) Goodwin.  He was preceded in death by his father Fletcher Goodwin, his sisters Freida Ann Hediger and Rose Ross, his brother Bill Hamm, his daughter Lorrinda Michelle Hamm, his granddaughter Stella Sutton, and his grandson Ethan Hamm.  

A viewing will be held at Jeter Memorial Funeral Home, 311 N. Friendswood Dr. Friendswood, Texas 77546, on Thursday, August 20, 2026, from 5:00p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Funeral services will be held at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 4425 FM 2351, Friendswood, Texas, on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Jim’s name to the League City Animal Shelter