Dr. Jack Lansford Hammond died July 14, 2021, after a series of medical issues.

Dr. Hammond was born April 23, 1953, the son of Martha Jane Hamilton Hammond and Arnold Townsend Hammond of Winona, MS. In 1960, the Hammond family moved to Jackson, MS, where Jack attended public schools. Jack performed well academically: at Murrah High School, he was a member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta (national math honor society), and Spanish Honor Society, as well as other academic and service organizations.

After graduation from Murrah in 1971, he attended Vanderbilt University, where he achieved membership in Phi Eta Sigma honor society and spent time tutoring public school students.. He was also a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He graduated cum laude from Vanderbilt in 1975 with a degree in mathematics.

Dr. Hammond next attended the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) in Jackson and earned his Medical Doctorate in Psychiatry in 1980. He completed both his internship and residency at UMMC and became National Board Certified in Psychiatry. During the early years of his career, he also worked weekends in emergency rooms in other Mississippi towns, including Winona.

Dr. Hammond went on to a 25-year career as staff physician at the Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield. At Whitfield, he focused on patients suffering from substance abuse and dependence along with other psychiatric illnesses.

After retirement from Whitfield, Dr. Hammond continued to help people dealing with chemical dependency through work with 12-step groups. He also expressed his appreciation to certain organizations important to his life, including University of Mississippi and Vanderbilt, with generous donations.

Dr. Hammond was predeceased by parents, Martha and Arnold Hammond; and by dear friend and partner, Jeff. He is survived by siblings and their spouses, Dr. Linda H. Bloszies (Dr. John), Laurie H. Williams (Jim), and Lee Hammond (Carol); and by nephews and their spouses, Dr. Sean Bloszies (Dr. Angel Cruz), Ben Williams (Kaleigh), and Peter and Andrew Hammond; and great-nephew, Mason Williams.

Dr. Hammond requested no formal funeral service. He will be buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Winona with a graveside service for family members. Arrangements are being handled by Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home.