Thomas Franklin Hamm

Mr. Thomas Franklin Hamm, 86, of Bowie Maryland (Family Home: Atlanta, Georgia), passed away on May 15th, 2023 of acute liver failure.

Thomas or ‘Hamm’ as he was often referred was born 5th of Six (6) children on December 8th, 1936 to Frank B. ‘Little Hamm’ Hamm and Hattie Kate (Thomas) Hamm in Atlanta, Georgia.

Upon graduating from High School in 1954 at the age of 17, Thomas received a full music scholarship to Morris Brown University.

Fate had other plans for young Hamm, though. He was struck with an unfortunate illness, and after an extended convalescence, was unable to return to Morris Brown on Scholarship. Never being one to take adversity lying down, Hamm took up odd-jobs to help support himself and the Family, until…

On September 18, 1956 Thomas enlisted into a relatively young and recently fully-integrated United States Air Force.

In his early years, Hamm sang semi-professionally with a vocal group, loved Jazz and was the man-about-town.

In 1964, Thomas and his newly found sweetheart, Annie Bell Donaldson were wed. Soon after the first of their two children were born.

Daughter: Deborah D. (Hamm) Massey

Followed 7 years later by their Son: Terrence Bernard Hamm – May 30th, 1972.

Thomas’ experience in the Air Force played an extremely important role in his life. It took him around the world, exposing him to new cultures and languages in places including: Japan, where Hamm immersed himself in the culture and nightlife and even learned to speak conversational Japanese; Afghanistan, where he spent many a night in make shift buildings enduring 120-degree heat; England, where, as with subsequent assignments to Taiwan, The Philippines and the Eastern (Massachusetts, Maryland) and Central (Texas)United States, he would take his new budding family.

Finally settling at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, where...

On September 30th, 1982 Thomas Franklin Hamm, Chief Administrative Security Officer, retired from the United States Air Force as Master Sergeant, after giving 26 years and 13 days of his life to the nation.

Post retirement, after his work for the Department of Defense, you would often find Hamm down at the local bar cheering on the Dallas Cowboys, or his hometown team The Atlanta Braves and talking big trash, as is the custom.

As Hamm got older and settled into his new life he found joy in his part-time work with new friends and co-workers at The Baltimore Washington Medical Center.

No matter where he was or what he was doing though, you could be sure of one thing: Hamm would dress to the nines and could always be found with a Fedora, classic Panama or if the mood was right, Baseball cap on his head. 

Thomas was predeceased by his five (5) Siblings: Thelma Tillman eldest, followed in order of birth by Frankie Margaret Johnson, Mary Helen Johnson, Charles Delano Hamm, and his younger brother Clarence James Hamm. He is survived by his Ex-wife: Annie Bell Hamm, his daughter, Deborah D. Massey (Finis Massey: Husband), his son, Terrence Bernard Hamm and his 7 (seven) Grandchildren: Brandon Lindrey Shirley, Jasmine Sherice Hamm, Shamar Terrence Hamm, Thomas James Hamm, Malcolm Xavier Hamm, Ethan Carter Hamm and Booker Hamm.

Services will be held at Beall Funeral Home 6512 NW Crain Hwy (Rt. 3 South) Bowie, MD 20715 on Saturday June 3rd at 12pm.