James Hammersmith

James Rodney Hammersmith, age 76 of Brevard, North Carolina, passed away on Friday, July 27, 2018. He was born in New Albany, IN on March 13, 1942 to the late Rodney and Reba Smith Hammersmith. In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by one brother, Robert Hammersmith. Mr. Hammersmith graduated from Salem High School. He graduated from Indiana University with a BS in Chemistry and he also graduated from the University of Louisville with a MS in Nuclear Chemistry. He and his wife moved to Brevard from Floyd Knobs, IN in 1977 and he retired from the R & D Department of Ecusta Corp. after 30 years of service, traveling abroad extensively. He was an avid motorcyclist and RV traveler and he loved the outdoors. Mr. Hammersmith was a member of the Brevard First United Methodist Church and he was a former Deputy Chief of the Brevard Rescue Squad. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Sue Hammersmith; two daughters, Julie Seacrest of Belmont, NC, and Sherri Marlow and husband Jeff of Harrisburg, NC; one son, Bryan Hammersmith of Pennington Gap, VA; three grandchildren, Hailye Blanton, Ansley Blanton, and Nicholas Marlow. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm Friday, August 3, 2018 at Hughes-Taylor Funeral Home in Salem. Hughes-Taylor Funeral Home is caring for the family. Online condolences www.hughestaylor.net