James A. Hamm, 76, passed away Tuesday May 22, 2012 at Nicholas County Hospital.

He was born June 24, 1935 in Pulaski County to the late Charles & Viola Blanche Collins Hamm, was a U. S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict, a graduate of Campbellsville College, a member of both the Orient Lodge #500 F. & A.M. and the Mt. Gilead Lodge #255 F. & A. M., was an Honorable Kentucky Colonel, and a member and Elder of the Carlisle Presbyterian Church. A devoted educator, Mr. Hamm taught for many years in the Carlisle Independent, Nicholas County and Bourbon County school systems as well as at the Millersburg Military Institute.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lois Gibson Hamm, 4 daughters, Sarah Jane (Joshua) Hix, of Grayson, Georgia, Margaret Venable, of Watkinsville, Georgia, Monica (James) Caras, of Buford, Georgia, & Laura (Greg) Watkins, of Morehead, his sisters-in-law, Lois Godby Hamm, Lorna (James) Phares and Collene (William) Griffin and 6 grandchildren, Quentin Venable, Tiffany Caras, James Caras, Sarah Caras, Zack Watkins & Caroline Watkins. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

He was also preceded in death by a brother, Paul Thomas Hamm, and a sister, Margie Ellen Wilson.

Services will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday at Carlisle Presbyterian Church by Rev. Art DeYoung. Burial will follow in the Science Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be after 5:00 P.M. Friday at Mathers-Gaunce Funeral Home with Masonic services at 7:00 P.M.

Memorial contributions suggested to Carlisle Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 111, Carlisle, Kentucky 40311.