James Nathan Hammond

James Nathan Hammond, 76, of Shelbyville, died April 27, 2023 at his home surrounded by his wife and family.

 He was born November 23, 1946, In Indianapolis, the son of Clifford and Mary (Mumaugh) Hammond.

On February 8, 1992, he married the love of his life Carmella (Valastek) Hammond who survives.

 Jim is also survived by his children, Jennifer (Mike) Wilcox of Bradenton, Florida, Alecia (Russ) Gross of Shelbyville, Mark Hammond of Sullivan, and Ryan Hadley of Indianapolis. Siblings, Gloria (Robert) Caldwell, Susan Carter and Joe Hammond; grandchildren Craig, Jordan and Bryan (Julianna) Wilcox, Colin (Hailey), Ethan, Allison and Quinn Nash, Aubrey Tannehill, Chris, Nic, Courtney, Serenity and Jacob Gross, Susan Allen, Justice, Mark, Blake, Sandra, Destiny, Corbin and Kiarrah Hammond, and Danielle (Jorge) Garcia. Great grandchildren Atticus Wilcox, William and Isaac Allen, Nolan and Norah Nash, Maya and Malcolm Cecil, and Izabel Garcia. He is also survived by brother-in-laws Kalman Valastek and Stanley Fisher.

 Jim was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Patricia Fisher, and brother John Hammond.

  He graduated in 1966 from North Central High School, and then from the Hoosier Energy Apprenticeship Program.

 On July 12, 1982 he began working for what is now Rush-Shelby Energy and made his way up the ranks, from lineman to Vice President of Operations before retiring on January 9, 2009. He would often comment when driving around Shelby County, "I designed the electricity for that. I got to see that built from the ground up." He was very proud of his contributions to the community.

 Jim was a Grand Knight of Council 822, and a 4th Degree in the Knights of Columbus. Jim loved to volunteer - whether it was helping build homes for Habitat for Humanity, working the roadblock for SCUFFY or solving electrical challenges for those in need. An avid golfer, he enjoyed traveling with friends to try new courses. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife, daughters, and their husbands - to Spain, Ireland, Germany, and with excursions Shelby Senior Services organized. Jim and Carmella could often be spotted riding their matching bicycles around their neighborhood both in Shelbyville and their winter home in Bradenton.

 Visitation will be from 2 pm to 6 pm. Sunday April 30, 2023 at Murphy-Parks Funeral Services, 703 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville, IN. 46176.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday May 1, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 125 E. Broadway St., Shelbyville, IN. 46176 with Father Mike Keucher officiating.  

Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Funeral Directors, Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, Stuart Parks, and Darin Schutt are honored to serve Jim’s family.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Knights of Columbus at 413 E. South St., Shelbyville IN. 46176, or Gibault Children’s Services fund at 6401 S. US Hwy 41, Terre Haute, IN. 47802 or to Shelby County United Fund at 126 N. Harrison St., Shelbyville, IN. 46176.

Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.