Obituary of Joseph Langhorne Hammond

Joseph Langhorne Hammond, Jr., 89, of Pittsboro, NC, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, August 6th. Beloved husband, brother, father, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather, Joe is survived by his cherished wife Edith; three daughters and their husbands and life partners: Beth and Doug Powell, Cathy Hammond and John Swango, and Sissy and William Holloman; grandchildren Guyton and Natalie Brusseau Powell, Cate Powell and Paul Robertson, and Keuren, Daniel and Denby Holloman; and great-granddaughter Sunny Robertson. Joe was born October 16, 1927, in Birmingham, Alabama, to Joseph L. Hammond, Sr., and Fanny Bowers Hammond. He earned BS and MS degrees in Electrical Engineering from MIT and a PhD in the field at Georgia Tech before teaching electrical engineering and computer science for 30 years at Georgia Tech and 15 years at Clemson University. He co-authored two engineering textbooks and was also a warm, gracious and encouraging professor and mentor, sponsoring a record number of MS and PhD students at both schools. Joe's grateful students became lifelong friends. His friends and family remember Joe best for both his wry sense of humor and his keen intellect. Most recently, he opened minds and hearts at Galloway Ridge as an inspiring contemporary religious thought discussion leader. His many friends included not only discussion group members, but also fellow woodworkers and pool aficionados, and two tournament-level tennis teams, of which he was often the oldest member by a decade or more. Joe was a Southern gentleman to the core, kind and gentle to all, with unshakable honesty and integrity. He always chose the higher road and was never boastful, although there was plenty he could boast about. He played tennis for the fun of it, not with a killer instinct, but with humility and good humor. He was a guide and model as a father, not just a father-in-law, to the men in the younger generation. He was a strong presence in all his children's lives. He always believed in his children and grandchildren and their abilities--even when they did not believe in them themselves. More than anything, though, he was the grownup who knew how to have fun. He was the ring leader of family fun at the beach, spurting a stream of water like a whale in the water. He was the chief rafter, surf caster and rock fisherman. He was the family ping-pong champion and Tripoli captain. In his last days, Joe was reportedly one of the Arbor's most popular patients, visited daily and often by his many friends and admirers. Joe studied God with a critical eye, but was sure in his relationship with Him. He died calmly and peacefully, with grace and dignity--without fear. He has been and will always be an inspiration to us all. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Joe can be sent to Galloway Ridge Charitable Fund, 3000 Galloway Ridge Rd., Pittsboro, NC 27312.