Michael Eugene Hammer

Michael Eugene Hammer was born on the kitchen table of a small 4-room farmhouse on the 14th of August, 1938, to A. Lenore (Price) and Walter H. Hammer in Woodville, Idaho.

He was the youngest of 4 children – Louise, Wanda, and Richard (that died as an infant). As a boy, he was smother-loved (and teased) by his sisters and mother – 3 amazing women that influenced him throughout his life!

Mickey – as he was nicknamed - grew up in Osgood, Idaho, working in the small grocery store that his parents owned. He loved fishing and hunting with family, until his father died from the years-long complications of a baseball injury when Mike was 8 years old. He also excelled in baseball and basketball – being gifted with exceptional speed that he used to his advantage well into his 40s!

He graduated from Shelley High School in 1956, and then attended the “Agricultural College” (Utah State University).

On July 28, 1961, Mike and Sharon (Shan) Johnson were married, and within a few months were notified that he had been drafted into the U.S. Army.

He endured a violent Atlantic Ocean storm on a freighter deploying him to Europe in the Spring of 1962, where he would be stationed in Germany. His wife, 8 months pregnant, would fly over in May, and their only child, Bryan, would be born in June.

Mike had a great intellect and was selected for a “secret assignment” from all the men in his Battalion. It required re-enlisting – without any details regarding the assignment – he declined. Later, he learned that it was for Army Intelligence.

He developed a love of gardening, flowers, tying flies, and fly fishing. He also enjoyed reading, crosswords, and other mind-challenging puzzles to stay sharp.

Michael is loved by family, and was known as a sweet guy. He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – spending his days living and loving the three most important things to him: God, Family, and Country.

He passed away on 21 October, 2023, of natural causes.

Michael has six grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren that are thrilled that he has gone ahead knowing he will be anxiously waiting for us!

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, November 4, 2023, at the Shelley-Hillcrest Cemetery.