03/17/1929 – 09/06/2012
Jacob Hamm went to be with the Lord Thursday, September 6, 2012. He was born the fourth son of six, on March 17, 1929 to Peter and Amalia Hamm in Leamington, Ontario, Canada. He grew up working alongside his father and brothers on the farm, where he developed his solid work ethic. He enjoyed a good practical joke and learned to appreciate music early on. In his teen years Jake trusted Jesus Christ as his Savior. He sang at Youth for Christ rallies and on the radio using his talent for God’s pleasure. At Bible College in Winnipeg he met his wife, Mildred. They married and moved to the U. S. living in several states while Jake got his Master’s degree and then his Doctorate, finally choosing to settle in Bellingham where he was a professor of music at Western Washington University and later at Vancouver Community College and Trinity Western University. Besides music, Jake kept his mind busy with many interests including family, cars, health, electronics, motorcycles and physics. The family will always treasure memories of camping trips, bicycle and motorcycle rides, cutting firewood together, learning how to whistle, doing engine repair, being surrounded by classical music, and Dad’s delightful sense of humor. Jake suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for several years, but in the end he succumbed to a heart attack. Jake was preceded in death by brothers Cornelius, Rudolph, Peter and Edward. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Mildred, sons Don (wife Sandy), Bob (wife Judy), Loren (wife Sandra), Ramon and Rod, grandchildren Laurie (husband Ethan), Chad, Cory, Aubrey, Bryce, Kyle and Kristen, great-granddaughter Adilee, brother John (wife Esther), and many loving relatives and friends. A family gathering was held.
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