Kingsport recognizes passing of former mayor
The City of Kingsport offers its sincere condolences to the family of K. Gardner Hammond, who passed away last week at the age of 87.
Hammond was first elected as a Kingsport alderman in 1973. He eventually became vice mayor, then mayor elected by his peers, and finally the first citywide popularly-elected mayor in 1979. Under his tenure as mayor, the “Leadership Kingsport” program was conceived.
Other than his years at college, Hammond lived his entire life in Kingsport.
“Hammond’s low key, steady leadership and principled view of economics provided stability and set us on a positive path,” said Kingsport Mayor Pat Shull. “I periodically called on him – and all past mayors – for counsel and guidance. They always stepped-up to serve in the ‘Kingsport Spirit’ as described by J. Fred Johnson.”
Kermit Gardner Hammond was born in Kingsport on January 26, 1935 and graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School in 1953. Hammond served as honorary student mayor his senior year and little did he know he would become the city’s first elected mayor 26 years later.
Hammond graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1957 with a degree in Arts and Sciences, then from the Darden School at the University of Virginia in 1959 with a Master’s in Business Administration.
After college, Hammond returned to Kingsport and began his career with a short stint at Tennessee Eastman before joining the team at the Kingsport Foundry and Manufacturing Corporation where he was an owner and Chief Financial Officer for more than 40 years.
While president of the Kingsport Jaycees, Hammond played a central role in establishing the Kingsport Center for Opportunity – a sheltered workshop that offered training and education to those with physical and cognitive disabilities.
Hammond was a member of the First Broad Street United Methodist Church and on the boards of directors for the American Red Cross and the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce. Hammond was also a Rotarian, a Paul Harris Fellow and president of the Ridgefields Country Club.
“Mayor Hammond was a long-time Kingsport resident and community leader who had a strong sense of civic duty and love for his home town,” City Manager Chris McCartt said. “He helped guide and grow our town for decades. His loyalty and leadership will truly be missed.”
Photo caption: 5 Kingsport mayors at the Kingsport Birthday Party in March 2017. Former Mayor Phillips, Mayor Montgomery, Mayor Blazier, Mayor Hammond and Mayor Clark.
