Claudel, Kansas, has lost one of his beloved sons with the passage of Jerry Raymond Hamman, who died on Friday, May 23, 2025 at the Kirney Regional Medical Center in Nebraska at the age of 84. Surrounded by family and love, Jerry peacefully joined his nurtured wife, Melba, which was his first birthday in heaven. His reunion is a poetic reflection of the love shared for decades, and while his absence will be deeply felt, his legacy remains immortal in the hearts of all those who knew him.
Born on 13 April 1941, Kansas, Jerry Raymond and Bernadine “Bani” were the son of Hagman. Along with her sister Linda Hamman Myers, Jerry Cloudel grew up in the family farm north. He was raised in a rural environment, which was based in hard work and mechanical simplicity – a way of life that not only shaped his character, but also made countless stories of mischief and adventure. His upbringing in Kansas’s heart gave Jerry patience, determination and love for the family that would define him for a lifetime.
Jerry graduated from Kensington High School, where he was known for his athleticism, sharp intelligence and enthusiastic personality. He had a fickle nature that often caused fun, mischievous moments. Such a memory, lifelonged by a lifelong friend Sherry Newbre, was recommended when Jerry laid down the lower part of a girl’s chair in school, leaving him out with his desk. Jerry, sometimes mischievant, then victorious helped him to fix his lost science book. Jerry’s young years were identified with such fickle antics, and even as she grew older, her feelings for adventure never became sluggish.
In addition to her natural talent for mechanics, Jerry was fond of racing and speed, which achieved roots during her youth. He could often be found running around the square in Kirwin or participated in a spontaneous drag race under the main street in Kensington. His love for racing matched his devotion only to sprinkle car racing, a pastime that he shared with his parents, wife Melba, daughter Tamra and son-in-law Kent. Together, they participated in the race in Vencheni, Red Cloud, Belleville and Stockton, where Jerry found happiness in the track’s adrenaline.
After completing his studies at Fort Hayes State University, where he earned Bachelor of Science in agriculture in 1964, Jerry married Larik of Melba on December 22, 1963 in Ashland, Kansas. Together, they created a life contained in love and shared values, eventually settled in Kirwin. It was here that Jerry joined his father in the Family Farm, an inheritance, which spread generations. In 2016, the Census Form Bureau honored the form the century form designation since 1916, recognizing its continuous operation. This acknowledgment was a will for Jerry’s commitment to preserve the agricultural heritage of the family.
Beyond farming, Jerry repaired a successful business, hagman, earning a reputation as Go-to “Shed Tree Mechanic” for her reliable service and mechanical expertise. His skill with engines and machines became mythological, and he was known all over the community for the abilities to solve his problem. Jerry’s mechanical talent increased everything from fixing tractors to repairing engines, always with a smile and a laugh.
Apart from her professional life, Jerry has a permanent impact on her community. He served as the treasurer of the Kensington Fire Department Board and was an active member of the Kensington Lions Club. His service to the community was a reflection of his care and liberal sentiment, always eager to lend one hand when needed.
The family was at the center of the world of Jerry. His summer was filled with water skiing adventures, often with his brother -in -law del walker and the rest of the Walker family. Whether skiing on a lake with ice is still running against a tornado to catch it or cool water, Jerry’s passion and adventure for the family shone. Even when things became chaotic, they found humor and happiness at every moment, such as when he jokingly said that he was “very afraid to respond to the phone”, the Walker family needed help to move forward again.
Jerry’s love was unique to his wife Melba. Together, they shared a love for dancing, whether it was in a matching outfit in disco dancing or was crank in the tunes of The Beach Boys or Elvis Presley in the kitchen. His favorite song by B Ges, “Peacock to a Woman”, explained the depth of his love and the timeless nature. It was a love, even in Jerry’s last moments, strong and unbreakable, as he re -included Melba in heaven.
Jerry’s legacy is also one of perseverance and patience. One of many mythological stories of his life was when he insisted on joining the wheat crop despite the lack of transport. He fired his Vintage M International tractor and formed an alliance on the ground. This task of determination and stubbornness surrounds Jerry’s soul – always ready to take any challenge, no matter the obstacles.
His daughters Kayla and Tamara were the lights of his life. They shared their love for mechanics with Kayla, worked together to make a tea-bocket, and passed on their passion for her and her husband Kent. Tamra was always on his behalf, making him happy to take him to many adventures. The bond between Jerry and Tamra was particularly strong, and both shared countless moments of humor and happiness. One of the most fond memories was spent together during the wheat crop, with Tamra’s daughter, Darh, eagerly Jerry was included in combination. The pair runs through Golden Fields, Darah laughing and shouting, “How am I, GPA?”
As a father -in -law, Jerry was everything that could expect for a family. Taylor Bohl, who married Jerry’s granddaughter Darh, shared a hearty tribute to how Jerry became a father after her father’s loss. “He treated me like a son and taught me the soul of farming – not only the work, but the love behind it,” said Tyler. “I got to work next to him, laugh in the cab and live to learn from his intellect. I will take it with me forever.”
Jerry’s relationship with Bohl’s Bohl, Jerry, was one of the most beautiful aspects of his life. Loved as “Boo Boo”, Little Flower-Walking partner, his lemon cookie partner and friend of his dance floor. His bond was reminiscent of the beauty of the family and the joy of passing love and knowledge in generations.
Jerry also hunted and enjoyed the adventure of a good challenge, as a pointman, a storyteller, and a lover of the outside. He was once standing on the porch to see a tornado roll, only when a jar crashed to run for the cover, thinking that the storm looked like this. He was always in a hurry to make others laugh, even when the situation looked stressful, as he shouted back in a frightened niece, just to hear his laughter.
Jerry Hammann was a force of nature – a fire ball of energy, loyalty and love. He was a dedicated farmer, a magnificent mechanic, a mischievous friend, a firm husband, a wise father, a doting grandfather, and a proud great -grandfather. He left his mark on each of his acres of soil, which he had worked, every engine that he had decided, every dance floor he had lit, and he loved with every heart. Their legacy will remain in stories shared by those who knew them, and in generations that carry forward the lessons provided by them.
As the Jerry re -connects the Melba to heaven, the love they shared brightly shine, a beacon of permanent devotion. Relaxation in peace, Jerry. You were more than a man – you were the heartbeat of a family, and the soul of a century farm. Your soul will live in every moment of happiness, every laughter is shared, and every story is passed.