EMMETT PHILMON HAM
Oct. 17, 1925-Oct. 15, 2017
Emmett Philmon Ham passed away Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017.
He was born in Wayne County Oct. 17, 1925, and was the son of the late Jack H. and Hattie Allen Ham.
He was married to his loving wife of 73 years, Mary Ellen Pender, the daughter of the late Leslie and Lola Hollowell Pender.
He retired as a mechanical engineer from General Electric after more than 36 years.
He was the charter president of the G.E. Twenty or More (T.O.M.) Club, and held several patents, mostly associated with his work at G.E.
He was a former member of Goldsboro Lions Club and Goldsboro Golf Club.
For several years, he was an instructor at Wayne Community College.
After retiring, he pursued his interest in woodworking, and crafted many beautiful pieces of furniture. He enjoyed a challenge, and was always involved in a project.
He also enjoyed reading business journals and solving puzzles.
He was a member of First Christian Church of Goldsboro, and was currently an elder emeritus, having served as vice moderator of the church board, deacon, treasurer and trustee of the church, and former president and teacher of the George Wilson Bible class.
He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He was an avid sports fan, especially NASCAR and baseball.
Traveling with his wife, Mary, they had visited more than 60 countries.
One of his proudest moments was seeing his two children and four grandchildren graduate from college.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen Pender Ham; son, Leslie Philmon and wife, Judith Reid Ham, of Brevard; daughter, Marsha Ham Hall of Goldsboro; four grandchildren, Christopher Philmon Ham and wife, Jessica Soroka, of Arkansas, Joshua Tyler Ham and wife, Virginia Beavon Ham, of West Africa, Melissa Ashley Hall of Goldsboro and Stephen Bryant Hall of Raleigh; three great-grandchildren, Timothy Philmon and Micah Hughes Ham of West Africa and Lena Hoffman Ham of Colorado.
He leaves many beloved nieces and nephews.
Preceding Mr. Ham in death were his parents; four brothers, James Oscar, Eschoel, Marvin and Milton; and three sisters, Hazel Ham Woodard, Rachel Ham Weaver and Hattie Ham Tulloch.
A celebration of his life will be held Wednesday, Oct. 18, at 2 p.m. at First Christian Church, with the Rev. Dr. Frederick Clarke officiating. Burial will be at Wayne Memorial Park following the service.
Flowers are welcomed or memorials may be sent to First Christian Church, Chancel Fund, 1609 E. Ash St., Goldsboro, N.C., 27534.
The family will receive friends at Seymour Funeral Home from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on October 17, 2017 8:05 AM