James Wesley Hammond

Resident of Owego, New York

October 9, 1933 to January 26, 2026

Age 92

James passed away at home on January 26, 2026 at age 92 after a brief illness. He was born in Avoca, New York on October 9, 1933 and grew up in the same area, graduating from Avoca Central School in 1952. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in August 1957. James was a kind, devoted family man, faithful to God and his church, the South Owego Bible Church, and was well known to many for his garden and green thumb. He retired from IBM in 1995 after 30 years of employment.

James was predeceased by his beloved wife of 63 years, Elvira Mendoza Hammond, and recently by his son Keith James Hammond. He was also predeceased by his first wife Ilene Beam Hammond in 1958, as well as his parents, Ruth and Floyd Hammond, and siblings Alice, Ernest, Victor, Ellen, and Paul.

James is survived by his daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: his daughter, Malinda Law (William), and grandchildren Whitney Law (and her children Natalie, Aria, and Elliot Dowling) and Allison Law (Jimmy Chang) (and their children Paxton and Lewis Chang); his daughter, Marcia Young (John), and grandchildren Emma Young and Lauren Page (Nathan); as well as his daughter-in-law Dawn Hodge Hammond (Keith, d. 2025) and grandchildren Ashley Epic, Angelina and Zachariah Hammond. James is also survived by his sister Faith Hagenloh of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Visitation will be at 10 am on Monday, February 2, at the Coleman & Daniels Funeral Home located at 765 Main Street in Vestal, New York with funeral service to follow. Burial will follow immediately at the Vestal Park Cemetery located at 316 Main Street in Vestal, New York.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in James's name to the South Owego Bible Church located at 6150 Montrose Turnpike, Owego, New York 13827 or to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, North Carolina 28201-0001.