Obituary

John H. Hammitt, 85, of Litchfield Park, Arizona died September 12, 2021 in Surprise, Arizona. He was born October 25, 1935 in Oakland, California to Henry K. Hammitt and Margareta I. Rosendahl.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years Shirley J. Hammitt, sons John Hammitt and Richard (Barb) Hammitt and daughter Diana (Gary) Feldman and, four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by grandson Jonah Feldman.

John was raised in Oakland, California. He was the first in his family to graduate from college in 1958, where he majored in Forestry. John’s life as an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel took him all over the world. He was a Vietnam veteran. After moving more than 15 times, Shirley and John settled in Litchfield Park, Arizona in 1979.

John married Shirley after meeting at the University of California, Berkeley. They enjoyed spending summers at her father’s property in Grass Valley, California. When Shirley required surgery in August of 2021, John was by her side every step of the way and cared for her once she came home.

John loved football, especially the San Francisco 49ers and his California Golden Bears along with all of the Arizona sport’s teams. He enjoyed watching sports, the History Channel, and old Westerns. His hobbies included skeet shooting, hunting, HAM Radios and genealogy. He was a Boy Scout in his youth and later became a leader for Troop 90, and was a member of the local Masonic Lodge. He also loved to take care of his daughter Diana’s dog Lady Dog, when she and her husband would travel.

John lived life on his terms – retired when he was 49.  That left plenty of time for him to be fully engaged in hobbies and his relationships with friends and family.  When family would visit, he always wanted to play a “little” football in the backyard.  John was always eager to talk with anyone that was on his journey and loved to learn their story and acknowledge them for who they are.

Services will be held at 9:30AM October 25 at Thompson Funeral Chapel in Goodyear Arizona.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest donations be made to the following organizations: