Virgil L Hammons

Virgil Lee Hammons age 84 of Plattsmouth, passed away on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at his Home.  He was born, January 26, 1933, Dunnegan, Missouri, the son of Connie Lee and Lala Pearl (Woods) Hammons.  He began his education in the Murray Public School System.  About the fifth grade he moved into the rural Amick School and met his future wife, a bossy, but pretty little girl.  In the sixth year of school, due to a family tragedy, the family moved back to Missouri.  It was here that he completed his education in the Cedar County School System, graduating in the class of 1950.  He also attended Springfield State College in Springfield, Missouri.  He gave two years of his life too Uncle Sam in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.  When he returned home from the service he married his childhood playmate, Marie Toman in the Christian Church, Murray, Nebraska.  Together they raised one son, and two daughters.  They began married life on a farm in Cedar County, Missouri, raising purebred Jersey cattle and turkeys.  After three years, an opportunity arose for a job in the Elevator Construction Trade in Kansas City, Missouri.  They moved shortly after to suburban Merriam, Kansas.  It was here that they became members of the Shawnee Methodist Church.  After ten years of city living they had the opportunity to move to Nebraska on a farm, which was his dream.  They bought the farm and during the summer they moved to Nebraska where Virgil transferred his elevating job.  He spent his life, farming and constructing elevators.  One of the more interesting places that he worked was in the State Prison in Lansing, Kansas.  It was more of a learning experience as he was expected to use some of the more trusted inmates as his helpers.  He constructed elevators in various building in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa.  Another interesting facet of his elevator career was a year they went on strike.  He took on another temporary job in the Hercules Powder Plant, working nights pushing an angel buggy of raw nitro glycerin. After they moved to Nebraska they became members of the First Presbyterian Church in Murray where their children went to Sunday School.  He served two years as Deacon and another two years as an Ordained Elder.  In later years, they moved their membership to the First Presbyterian Church in Plattsmouth. After thirty years of public work Virgil retired and made some changes in his life style.  He sold the cattle and hogs and became a full-time farmer.  He planted a small vineyard and managed a small orchard.  It was springtime when you found him planting a large vegetable garden which he shared generously with family, friends and neighbors.  He also tended to his bees which was a lifetime job. In his spare time, he became an avid collector of John Deere thirty series of tractors.  He would buy them and restore them to vintage shape as time permitted.  Virgil also loved woodworking which he limited to the cold winter months.  He spent many a cold day in his shop making heirlooms for his family. Early in spring before gardening and pruning took place he went back to his birthplace in Cedar County, Missouri.  He spent the time there, fishing in the Osage River and later on when Stockton Lake was constructed he went there.  He loved fishing in an old boat on family ponds with children and grandchildren. Virgil is survived by his wife, Marie, Plattsmouth, NE, children Harold (Janet) Hammons, Murray, NE, Susan (Craig) Delavan, Glenwood, IA, and Karen (Alan) Jones, Clarksburg, IL, 7 Grandchildren: Matthew Hammons, Melissa Hammons, Leslie Delavan, Cory Delavan, Lindsey Donnelly, Lauren Clingan, Amanda Faingnaert and 7 Great Grandchildren, sister Darlene (Jack) Clanton, Neosho, Missouri, and nephew John Clanton, Neosho, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents.  Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at 10:00 AM at the First Presbyterian Church in Plattsmouth, Nebraska with Rev. Matthew Coplen officiating.Visitation will be Tuesday, May 30, 2017 from 1:00 PM until 8:00 PM with family greeting friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Funeral Home.  Memorials may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church. Arrangements by Brian P. Harvey Funeral Home, Plattsmouth, NE  402-296-4445