Ira Samuel Hammond passed away at the age of 94 on the 14th of July 2024 at Holden Manor Care Center in Holden, Missouri. He is missed and fondly remembered by his family and friends.

Ira was born on January 9, 1930, as the first child of Ira Taylor (Wink) Hammond and Elsie Ivanetta (Bransteitter) Hammond. The family moved to the Centerview area and remained there for the rest of their lives. He attended rural elementary school and completed high school at Central Missouri State University's Lab School in Warrensburg, MO. Ira briefly attended Central Missouri State University before joining the Army, from which he received an honorable discharge.

Upon returning from his service to his country, Ira worked in construction, on pipelines, and at General Motors before pursuing farming and carpentry.

On May 29, 1953, he wed Ruth Joyce Dameron at the United Methodist Church in Holden, where they remained loyal and supportive members.

In 1955, Ira and Ruth moved to their forever home, the farm, near Rosehill, Missouri, where they lived most of their lives, enjoying the cool breezes on Hammond Hill. After retiring in 1995, Ira began sharing farming and ranching responsibilities with a few of his faithful neighbors, providing more time for family, friends and extended travel.

While driving around the area, Ira would point out houses he helped build, remodel or do the finish trim on. He took pride in his workmanship and his contribution to people's home legacies.

Ira and Ruth loved exploring local backroads, visiting many sites across the states, and taking cruises and trips with friends. They celebrated 70 years of marriage together in 2023 - a testament to their enduring love.

Ira is survived by two children, Melanie Snider and Samuel Hammond (Carolyn); eight grandchildren, Sarah Gould (David), Casey Kloeckener (Heaven), Libby Snider, Jeffrey Snider (Laurie), William Snider (Brooke), Benjamin Hammond (Stefanie), Caitlin Hammond, and Elise Buchheit (Mark); and 14 great-grandchildren, Dylan Gould (Chalis), Shayla Gould, Savannah Gould, Delaney Gould, Bennett Kloeckener, Easton Kloeckener, Emma Gregory, Zachary Snider, Hadley Snider, Harrison Snider, Boston Hammond, Kingsley Hammond, Avery Mena and Barrett Buchheit; four brothers, Tom Hammond, Jesse (Ronda) Hammond, Glenn (Linda) Hammond and Lewis (Carol) Hammond; four sisters, Marie Haag, Marjorie Dyer, Shirley (Lowell) Schmidli and Bonnie (Eldon) Maret; and a host of nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife Ruth, his parents Ira and Elsie, his brother Evertt, his brothers-in-law Earl Haag and Lynn Dyer, his sisters-in-law Carol Ann Hammond, Donna Hammond, and Joan Hammond, and his son-in-law Jerry Snider.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 20th, at Holden United Methodist Church. Reverend Steve House and Pastor David Mortenson will officiate. The family will receive friends from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service. Instead of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Holden United Methodist Church. The arrangements are entrusted to Williams Funeral Chapel in Holden.