Dierrell Hamm

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 25, 2007 in the Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers for Dierrell 'Jerry' Hamm, 83, who passed away Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at Lafayette General Hospital. Reverend Jerry Means, Pastor of United Methodist Church will officiate the services and will be assisted by Reverend John T. Wamsley, Pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Lafayette. Mr. Hamm, the son of the late Rev. and Mrs. Jasper Hamm was a native of Palmyra, IL and was raised in New York and was a resident of Lafayette. He served in the military from 1943 to 1946 with basic training in Fort Polk, LA. He served in the European Theatre during World War II as the Chaplain's assistant during his entire career. After being discharged from the US Army, he joined the US Army Reserve and served in the Korean Conflict. He was a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award in 1948 by the New Iberia Junior Chamber of Commerce. He came to New Iberia, LA to be Manager of the radio station KANE from 1946 to 1956. He served as President of the New Iberia Lions Club and was an active Board Member of the New Iberia Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Hamm was General Manager for KLFY TV from 1956 to 1959. He was President of LA Association of Broadcasters from 1957 to 1958. He was presented with a life membership to The Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce in 1963. He was President of the Lafayette Rotary Club from 1967 to 1968. He was a Paul Harris Fellow. Mr. Hamm was awarded New Club Award for outstanding service to Rotary International from 1983 to 1984 for helping establish Rotary Club North, having attended three Rotary International Conventions. He was a member of the Administrative Board for the First United Methodist Church of Lafayette. He was a past member of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Hamm left the broadcasting career in 1969 and entered a new career in insurance. He represented Prudential Ordinary Division in Lafayette as Division Manager for 10 years. Since 1969 he has represented AFLAC exclusively, being promoted to District Manager, Regional Manager and State Manager. He served two years as President of AFLAC Pioneers, company wide and represented AFLAC in Colorado, Florida and Louisiana. Survivors include his wife, Elaine S. Hamm of Lafayette; one daughter, Beverly Theresa Hamm and fianc', Deno P. Skenteris of Fayetteville, NC; three grandchildren, Georgia Guzman, Alexandra Guzman, and Gabriel Guzman. He was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend and Mrs. Jasper Hamm; one son, Dierrell J. 'Chipper' Hamm; and one brother, Milton Dorks. Visiting hours will be observed on Friday from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm and will continue on Saturday from 1:00 pm until the time of services. Personal condolences may be sent to the Hamm family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Dierrell Hamm

September 25, 1923 - August 21, 2007