Clifford Hammond

New Mexico's most favorite "Uncle Cliff" transitioned from his earthly home to his heavenly home on January 29, 2013 after a most adventurous 97 years. Born Carlis Clifford Hammond on March 9, 1915 in Clark County near Martinsville Illinois, he persevered in a farmer family of ten, growing up in a poverty not many today can even relate to. He excelled in academics, agriculture and sports in high school. In 1933, during the height of the Great Depression, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the FDR program designed to get Americans back to work again. Mr. Hammond was featured in a recent broadcast of the PBS series, The American Experience. It was during this time that Cliff "rode the trains" throughout the country, looking for work and food. Toward the end of the depression, he owned and operated a grocery and liquor store in California. In 1941, he joined the war effort by enlisting in the Army Air Corps and was trained as an air traffic controller. On September 16, 1942, he married his sweetheart Zella Mae Ferguson and moved back to Illinois to continue his experiences in farming. Over the next several years, Cliff and Zella and their two children, Carl and Linda, enjoyed a variety of entrepreneurial ventures from restaurant management in Kansas to homesteading in Idaho. He moved his family to Albuquerque on his 43rd birthday to begin a new career as an air traffic controller. During that time he would take his kids to a small amusement park at the NM state fairgrounds which gave him the idea of developing his own facility since the pressure of air traffic and working for someone else was not that inspiring to him. It was then that Uncle Cliff's Kiddyland was born at 7600 Lomas NE with a go kart track, small food stand and a few kiddie rides. It thrived there until forced off by city officials in 1961, at which time the park moved to join forces with Little Beaver Town in Tijeras Canyon at the eastern limits of town. Realizing that this could be a losing proposition, Cliff moved one last time to the northern edge of the city at 5301 San Mateo, where he leased property from the Yonemoto family until he was able to purchase. There, the park began to grow from 6 to 15 acres, to become the largest and most attended park in New Mexico. For over 53 years, having entertained millions of people, Cliff's Amusement Park has continued on the very same principles Cliff established at the beginning - safety, cleanliness and courteousness. Clifford Hammond leaves behind his wife of 70 years, Zella; two children, Carl Hammond and wife, Susie of Santiago, Chili and Linda Hays and husband, Gary; four grandchildren, Tracy Velasquez (Fred), Justin Hays (Donnietta), Jordan Hammond and Althea Khanna (Sunil); six great-grandchildren; three great - great-grandchildren ;niece, Connie Inman of Albuquerque, NM; brother, Zeddie Hammond and wife, Norma; two nephews, Max Hammond and wife, Eileen and John Hammond; and niece, Donna Craig, all of Martinsville, IL; and brother, Guy Hammond and wife, Carol; and nieces, Kelly Hammond and Christina Hammond, all of Sullivan IN. Mr. Hammond was also very active with the local chapters of The Salvation Army, Toastmasters, EAGA and his favorite, the CCCs. His life was devoted to providing for his family and generations beyond. His energy for life and inspiring legacy of providing families the time of their lives will be sorely missed and not soon forgotten. A memorial service for Mr. Hammond will be held on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 1:30 pm at Temple Baptist Church 1613 Arizona NE. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Hammond's memory to the Manzano Del Sol - Resident Endowment Fund, 5201 Roma NE 87108.