Becker, MN

August 10, 1954 – January 22, 2022

Thomas Joseph Hammer, age 67, died Saturday, January 22nd, 2022, at the St. Cloud Hospital.  

Tom was born on August 10, 1954, in Brooklyn Center, MN, the son of Thomas and Marie (Becker) Hammer. He grew up in Brooklyn Center and Tom’s dad moved the family to Becker, MN in 1969, and started Hammer Potato Company. He graduated from Becker High School in 1972, and was president of the senior class. 

In 1979, Tom and his brother Gary started a partnership where they farmed 20-30 acres of potatoes, which was T&G Farms. In 1980, Tom renamed the farm TJ Farms and started growing potatoes on his own. In 2017, Tom started Precision Rain of MN and became a Reinke Irrigation, Great Plains Equipment, and Becks Seed Dealership.

Tom found great joy in giving back to his community by being a part of many organizations, such as: Centra Sota Cooperative board member, past President and member of St. Cloud EAA, past President and member of the Clear Lake Lions, past President and member of MN Area 2 Potato Council, and past President of the Clearwater Food Shelf. “Can do” was an understatement for his ambition. 

In 1990, Tom married the love of his life Penney, and accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. He loved his family deeply, and had a passion for farming. Like his dad, he loved to work. Tom considered all his employed guys the best of friends. They built buildings together, installed irrigation, and even helped him build one of his airplanes.

He loved buying insurance salvage equipment, cars, boats, semi trucks, and tractors to name a few. He also loved flying his airplanes with his brother Jeff and friends. He enjoyed spending time at the Pine River deer cabin, and attending the Oshkosh air shows with his brothers and sons. A big highlight every year was the annual snowmobile trip to West Yellowstone with his sons, brothers, and friends. You could always find Tom with a Diet Coke on ice.  Tom loved meeting and visiting with people. He made everyone he met feel important and treated them truly as a friend, with love and respect.

Tom is preceded in death by his father, Thomas, and his mother, Marie. 

He is survived by his wife Penney, and two sons Hunter and Tanner. His three brothers: Jeff (Lynda) of Princeton, MN, Stephen (Mary Jo) of Mary Esther, FL, and Gary (Kris) of Glenwood, MN. Tom is also survived by his 4 nephews and 6 nieces, as well as his great nieces and nephews. 

Tom truly was larger than life and will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew him.

A private family funeral service was held Thursday, January 27 2022.