Maurice Frank Hamm passed away Friday, August 24, 2012, at age of 84. He was born on March 19, 1928 in Selmer, Tennessee where he was raised. His parents were William Newton Hamm and Clarice Jones Hamm of Selmer, Tennessee.
He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was predeceased in death by his first wife, Anne Jennings Hamm, and brother, William Olan Hamm.
He leaves his wife, Linda Kirk Hamm; 3 sons, James Douglas (Doug) Hamm (Knoxville, TN), Clarence Stanley Kirk (Franklin, TN), and Bailey Dallas Kirk (Baton Rouge, LA); 2 daughters, Laura Lynn (Laurie) Hamm Bond (Cordova, TN) and Anne Eugenia (Gina) Hamm-Harris (Middleton, TN); 11 grandchildren, Jeb Bond and Tommy Bond (Earle, AR), Colton and Brilee Hamm (Richland, WA), Merry Ellen, Christina, Hunter, and Elizabeth Kirk (Franklin, TN), and Justin, Cecile and Natalie Kirk (Baton Rouge, LA).
He graduated from Selmer High School in 1946 and served in the Army Air Force in Japan until 1949. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana State University (LSU) where he majored in Forestry. He worked for three decades for the Woodlands Division of Tennessee Pulp & Paper Company in Counce, Tennessee. He was the first president of the Tennessee Forestry Association. He was also a founding member of Selmer Golf & Country Club and enjoyed playing golf with his friends. Civic responsibilities were important to Mr. Hamm. At the time of his death, he was secretary of the McNairy County Airport Authority and served on the McNairy County Economic Development Committee. He served on the first Shiloh Regional Landfill Committee. He served two terms as a McNairy County Commissioner and two terms as Selmer City Alderman and was a long-time chairman of the McNairy County Election Commission.
Mr. Hamm was a member of First Baptist Church in Selmer where he was a choir member, past Deacon, and past chairman of the Finance Committee. He was an avid fan of all things LSU, especially football, and was a proud member of the LSU Alumni Association. His favorite spot, besides McNairy County, was Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge during football season, Geaux Tigers! Words cannot describe how he will be truly missed by all.
