George C. Hammond

“If you died tonight, do you know if you would go to heaven?” was a phrase often quoted by George Hammond of Arvada, Colorado. Whether you were a telemarketer or a grocery clerk, George was sure to tell you of how God sent His son to die for your sins and after 3 days rose again to provide a path for you to heaven. George loved to fish and was a fisher of men for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. George Hammond passed away on Tuesday morning October 3, 2017. George was born in 1930 during the Great Depression and lived a tar paper shack in Maple Crest, NY as a young boy. He actually loved that time in his life and grew fond of camping, ice fishing and later built his own tee-pee. He was an inventor - always trying to craft the next best thing. After being discharged from the Navy as an Electronics Technician, he obtained a BS in Physics and a Master in Industrial Engineering. He worked 36+ years as a rocket scientist (Parts Engineer) in the Aeronautics divisions of Lockheed Martin and Ball Aerospace Corporations to name a couple. George had a “Q” clearance and “Secret” security clearance throughout most of his career working on projects like the US Air Force P78-1 Satellite, JPL/NASA Viking Planet Mars Orbiter and Lander, JPL/NASA Magellan Planet Venus Radar Mapper, US Army Apache Helicopter Camera and even worked on fixing the NASA Goddard Hubble Space Telescope. One of George’s greatest accomplishments was being able to help his fellow man after the Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005. As a 75 year old man, George helped with two 10-day clean-up relief efforts in Gulfport, MS starting just 6 weeks after the storm hit. George died from complications after undergoing hip surgery. Thank you to everyone that has supported our family in this time of mourning. Memorial Service will held Tuesday, October 10, 2017, 11:00 a.m. at Redeemer Temple, 3701 West 64th Avenue, Arvada. Noon lunch reception to follow. Private Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held at a later date at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 4400 West Kenyon Avenue, Denver. George was an honest, kind, thoughtful, Christian man that loved his family, pets and his country. He will be missed deeply by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Frances Hammond; Daughters, Michelle Bradley and Kristy Kimmerle; Sons-in-Law, Dennis Bradley and Chris Kimmerle; many close and dear friends; and hundreds of people he helped lead to the Lord and be saved by the blood of Christ. Whether a believer or not, you have to admire his resolve and faith. This was George’s standard goodbye saying: 24 '""The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.""' Numbers 6:24-26 George was born in Brooklyn, NY and went to grade school in Maplecrest, NY. He moved to Jamaica, NY for a few years but he never liked living there. He and his family moved to Glencove where he went to high school. His family was poor growing up but he and his older brother, mother and father made the best of it. He learned an old Irish drinking song one time with his family and friends and, shocking his mother, decided to sing it in their church one day as a little boy. He needed parental permission as a 17 year old to join the Navy. He idolized his older brother, John, who joined the Air Force. After 3+ years and obtaining an honorable discharge from the Navy. George attended Adams State College in Alamosa, CO where he studied business (sales). It was there that he met his soon-to-be wife, Frances Ellen Cooper. Frances prayed for a man from New York, thinking that that was ‘high society’ in those days for a girl who never left the state of Colorado. It was a whirlwind romance for them both. Frances and George met in September of 1955, started dating in January of 1956, and talked about getting married soon thereafter. During their engagement, George got a job offer and moved to California leaving Frances behind with her parents, Ruth and Allen Cooper, while Frances finished up her teaching degree at Adams State College. One day, concerned about his budding relationship with Frances, he had his friend, John Bianucci cover for him while George drove back to Alamosa to surprise Frances on Valentine’s Day, 1956. The newlyweds started their lives together in California but soon thereafter moved to Denver when George got a job offer from the Denver Research Institute. Included with the job they offered to pay for his tuition for a B.S. degree in Physics at the University of Denver. George worked for Fred Venditti who became his lifelong friend. George and Frances bought a house in Wheat Ridge, Colorado in 1959. George worked at Rocky Flats Nuclear Facility for about 1 year and their first daughter was born in September of 1960. Their second daughter, Kristy was born on Frances’ birthday on Jan. 8th, 1964. George started working at Martin Marietta where he could study for his Industrial Engineering master’s degree through a televised degree program offered through Colorado State University. While at Martin, he was a Lead Parts Engineer and worked on programs like the Voyager Satellites, one of which is still flying past the outer reaches of the solar system. George was given an Inventor Award in 1971 and even worked on the SkyLab program in 1974. He became a believer in Christ while working at Martin Marietta and was baptized Nov 3rd, 1968 and later water baptized at Redeemer Temple in 1972. He became spirit-filled with Michelle and Frances on Michelle’s birthday on September 8, 1972. He led his then boss, Frank Francone, to Christ and have remained life-long friends ever since. After George was laid off of from Martin Marietta, he went to work for Montgomery Wards where he learned how to install sprinkler systems and later started the Wheat Ridge Sprinkler Co. After a short time out of work and struggling to make ends meet, George found work at Ball Aerospace in 1977. While there with his boss, Chris Christiansen, they worked on fixing the lens issues with the Hubble Space Telescope. George was a faithful follower and led many Christian-based fellowships along with many friends and colleagues. Many thanks and prayers to surviving friends throughout Colorado and the country who have helped in George’s journey with Christ. Lord bless you and keep you. Throughout his distinguished career, George always met everyone with kindness and dignity. Helping others along the way, giving to missionaries around the world. Please share your memories of George and condolences with his family by signing the guest book below.