John Fredrick (Fred) Hammond - April 2, 1945 - July 3, 2026

John Fredrick (Fred) Hammond, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 3, 2026, at Fort Sanders Hospital in Knoxville, TN following a prolonged illness.

He was born in Chattanooga, TN to Gordon and Margaret Hammond and grew up in St. Elmo.

He earned the rank of Eagle Scout - Order of the Arrow and completed 16 projects during that time. He lifeguarded at the Boy Scout Camp at Cherokee. He graduated from City High School in 1963, where he excelled in track and field from 7th to 12th grade. He ran hurdles in junior high and competed in shot put and discus in high school and helped coach his fellow teammates. Following graduation, he attended Tennessee Tech. He joined the Air National Guard in 1965 and served as a Staff Sergeant in the 241st squadron specializing in ground equipment and was honorably discharged September 21, 1972.

He began his employment in 1965 as a cable repair helper with Southern Bell/BellSouth, which eventually became AT&T, and progressed to management. In 1982, he left AT&T, and moved to Knoxville, TN and started East Tennessee Communications. In 2005, he sold the company to InfoSystems and began CCI Communications Consultants, Inc. from which he retired in 2021.

He and his wife, Linda Faye Griffin Goddard Hammond, who preceded him in death earlier this year, moved to Maryville, TN in 2015. They enjoyed retirement and traveled extensively.

Anyone who knew Fred knew that food was his love language and he often talked of how

"outstanding" a particular meal was.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased in death by his sister Barbara Cotton and brothers James (Jim) Hammond and Donald (Don) Hammond. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Grace Gafford (Brian) of Smyrna, TN, his step-son, Michael Goddard and wife, Donna Eason of Louisville, TN, his granddaughters, Hannah Gafford of Knoxville, TN, Anna Gafford Petersen (Paul) of Smyrna, TN, Brianna Gafford Semler (Grant) of Smyrna, TN Jennifer Goddard of Louisville TN and granddaughter-by-marriage, Mary Catherine Pile of Knoxville TN, sisters-in-law Liz Hammond, Maryville, TN, Helen Henry. Elgin, TX, and Sandra Hammond, Ringgold, GA, a host of nieces and nephews and good friends Wayne Upchurch, Jim Barnes, and Lee Smith, all of Chattanooga, TN

Donations in his name may be made to St. Judes Children's Research Hospital. There will be no services. Arrangements handled by Smith Mortuary, Maryville, TN