Robert John Hamm, Sr.
Ronald John Hamm, Sr., 90, of Marshall, Michigan passed away on Friday, June 20, 2025 at Marshall Comfort Care.
He was born on October 26, 1934 to Raymond and Mabel (Reavis) Hamm in Detroit, Michigan.
On October 23, 1954, Ron married Dolores Elaine Carpenter in Romeo, Michigan. He grew up on the family farm in Romeo, Michigan, but was given a choice to stay and run the family farm or follow his Dad to Olivet and start the family business, which he did, in 1955.
Ron started working in the family business, Air-Way Manufacturing, in 1955. Ron started in the drafting department and then ran the shipping department before eventually becoming the CEO and Chairman of the Board. He grew up playing poker with his family and enjoyed it so much that later in life he started a Poker Club with friends. Ron was a good athlete and played most sports, including baseball, basketball and bowling with the Air-Way teams. He also had fun at racquetball, skeet shooting and golf. He played football for the Romeo High School Bulldogs, continually followed them, and also enjoyed the Detroit Lions and Michigan State University teams. Ron loved to complete jig saw, Sudoku and word search puzzles, most of all he was an avid coin collector along with his father. Going to The Air-Way Lodge up on the South Branch of the AuSable River in Roscommon was his favorite place to be as it brought him great comfort and peace. Ron and Dolores loved to travel and took many trips throughout the United States. They loved Alaskan cruises and Hawaii, and they even traveled to Australia. He adored his family above all else, taking his children and grandchildren on fishing trips to Canada or just having everyone around at The Lodge. Ron was a longtime member of Christ Lutheran Church in Marshall.
Ronald is survived by his loving spouse of 70 years, Dolores Elaine; his children, Ronald John (Julie) Hamm, Jr. of Marshall, Michigan and Susan (Shawn) Marie Woods of Battle Creek, Michigan; his grandchildren, Kenny (Jenny) Stewart, Chad (Lindsay) Stewart, RJ Hamm III, Kyle (Katlin) Hamm, Luke (Jen) Pratt, Joshua Pratt; his great grandchildren, Keighly (Danny) Alley, Jimmy (Shay le) Stewart, Jacob (Taylor) Stewart, Meredith Stewart, Griffin Stewart, Libby JoAnn Hamm, Samara Tollette, Ti’Anna Tollette, Gracie Pratt, Jaxon Pratt and his great great grandchildren, Stetson Stewart and Coy Stewart. He is also survived by his son-in-law, Charles Taylor.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter Elaine Marie Taylor; his siblings, Lawrence “Larry” Hamm, Laurie Ann Place and Gerald Hamm.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at Kempf Family Funeral & Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy 27 N. Marshall, Michigan 49068. Rev. David Moran, Pastor Christ Lutheran Church in Marshall, officiating.
Memorials are suggested to Christ Lutheran Church (440 West Dr. N, Marshall, MI 49068) and or Elara Caring Hospice Foundation (4664 Campus Dr, Suite 101A, Kalamazoo, MI 49008).
Please visit www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.