JAY STEPHEN HAMMER was born September 19, 1947 and passed peacefully on August 28, 2015 after a brief illness. Jay grew up in the state of Washington, graduating from Mount Vernon High School in 1965 and St. Martins College in 1969 with a B.A Education, teaching major Social Studies, minor P.E. While attending school he was a member of the Varsity tennis team in both high school and college. After college he joined the Peace Corp and spent 5 years in Eastern Caribbean, at Victoria and Gouyave Grenada, West Indies setting up preschool programs and worked with a fishing COOP. In 1972 was awarded Top Ten Peace Corps Program in the World and presented to Congress. After returning in 1973 he started his teaching career at Jurupa Unified School District teaching and coaching at Troth, West Riverside and Stone Ave Elementary Schools and Rubidoux High School. While at the elementary schools he coached Flag football, basketball, softball and track and then at Rubidoux High School he coached Track and X Country, winning League and State Championships Jay was one of the founding members of the Lightning Bolt Youth Track Club which later merged with Southern California Road Runners. They hosted 2 national AAU X Country championships at Mt. SAC and the first AAU Grade School National Championship. He was a meet director for AAU National Junior Olympics Track and Field and AAU National Junior Olympics XC and was awarded Outstanding AAU meet director. After retiring, Jay became a USATF track official and spent time working local high school and college meets, and also traveled to officiate National meets. When he wasn't coaching or teaching, Jay spent time with Vagabundos Fishing Club, traveling frequently to Baja California, Mexico and fishing in the Sea of Cortez. He also frequented the Pacific Northwest and Alaska doing what he loved, fishing. Jay also spent a summer at the Spanish Language Schooling in Antigua Guatemala learning Spanish and worked the Atlanta Olympics as a volunteer . Jay is survived by brothers Jeff Hammer, Huntington, NY and Jerry Hammer, Redlands, Ca, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Jacqueline Hammer, Riverside, CA and brother, John Hammer, LaConner, WA. The celebration of his life is planned for Thursday, Sept 10th at Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary, 7944 Magnolia ave, Riverside, Ca 92504 from 6 to 10 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to Rubidoux High School's Cross Country and Track programs. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pe/obituary.aspx?n=jay-stephen-hammer&pid=175780357&fhid=8502#sthash.yc8hbbos.dpuf