James Jacob Hammond

Dr. James J. Hammond, 74, of Fargo ND, died unexpectedly at home on August 9th with his wife Donna by his side.

Son of Lambert and Mandy Hammond, he was raised on a corn and soybean farm in Martinsville, Illinois with his two brothers, John and Jesse. After completing his BS and MS in Agriculture from the University of Illinois and his PhD at the University of Nebraska, Jim married Donna Louise Peterson of Rosalie, NE on May 27th 1969. In December of that year they settled in Fargo, ND, where they raised their two children, Heather and Matthew.

Dr. Hammond was a Professor of Plant Sciences and Flax breeder at North Dakota State University for 47 years until the time of his death. He was a public servant dedicated to supporting the mission of the University and those who worked and studied there. He was also a strong supporter of numerous Men’s and Women’s Bison Athletic teams. His door was always open and he touched the lives of hundreds of graduate students and faculty by helping them to design rigorous studies and analyze data from their research. Dr. Hammond had a love of computers and technology and enjoyed sharing his expertise with his many colleagues.

Jim’s nurturing and generous spirit touched all that knew him. Father to Heather and Matt, and second father to many, he never missed a game, meet or performance. Participating in the lives of his grandsons, Avery and Tomas, brought him great joy. He loved sitting at the lake in his log swing in the early morning thinking about new scientific ideas, attending Bison sporting events with Donna, watching his grandsons play ball, and providing delicious home cooked food for family and friends.

In addition to always being the smartest man in the room, Big Jim was:
Pakka, Sweetie, and the Big Cheese
Kind, patient, and steadfast
Friend, mentor, and colleague
Farm boy, math whiz and computer guru
Santa, the bear at Yellowstone, and fisherman
The baiter, unhooker, and fish cleaner for those in the boat with him
Baker, knitter and gardener
Maker of the pancakes and bacon, and washer of the dishes
A warm blanket for all babies
Cabin builder, sports fan
And a voice of reason and integrity.

He is survived by his wife Donna, children Heather (Toben Nelson, Roseville, MN) and Matthew (Tiffany Parson, Black Hawk, CO), his grandchildren Avery and Tomas Nelson (Roseville, MN), his brothers John Hammond and Jesse (Gloria) Hammond, sister-in-law Barbara Nielsen, and many nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lambert and Mandy, his mother-in-law Muriel Peterson, sister-in-law Brenda Hammond, family friend Mieko Johnson, and his granddaughter Annika Hammond Nelson,

Memorials will support a scholarship fund in Dr. Hammond’s name in Crop and Weed Sciences and can be directed to: NDSU Foundation and Alumni Association, PO Box 5144, Fargo, ND 58105