Thomas Raymond Hamm
Thomas R Hamm, 87, passed away on December 28, 2022 with family by his side. Tom, or “Raymond” to family, was born in Upland, CA but lived in Riverside most of his life. He graduated from Riverside Polytechnic High School in 1953 and served in the U.S. Air Force before meeting the love of his life, Joanne Oosten. They married in 1959 and soon started a family. Tom worked for Pacific Bell for 28 years, then for Rohr Industries and his own home repair business before retiring. He was a hard worker and could build/repair anything. He especially enjoyed building and flying airplanes. At 52 he became a licensed pilot showing anything he put his mind to, he could do. After losing his beloved wife in 2007, Tom experienced health setbacks and worked his way back to health by walking. For over a decade, he walked around the Tyler Galleria picking up trash, logging 10 miles each day. In the last few years of his life, dementia took away the activities Tom enjoyed and the memories he cherished. He is now reunited with his wife, parents Thomas P and Catherine Hamm, and brothers Donald and David who preceded him in death. He is survived by his children Karen (Kirk) Rutledge, Tom (Heidi) Hamm, and Colleen (Carlos) De Campos; grandchildren Meghan (Cameron), Nick (Danielle), Kaitlyn, Tommy (Melissa), Steven, and Emily (Tim); great-grandchildren, Olive, Noah, Cora, Timothy Jr. and Hollis.
