John Hamar, Former President & CEO of Horner Flooring, Has Died

Chassell, MI, August 1, 2017-John C. Hamar, 88, formerly president and CEO of Hamar Flooring, died July 17, 2017, after a lengthy illness.

Hamar was a 1948 graduate of Morgan Park Military Academy, Chicago, Illinois, and earned a bachelor of arts degree in economics from Lawrence College in 1952, where he lettered in baseball and basketball and was a member of Beta Theta Pi. In 1954, Hamar married Joan E. Armbrust of Indianapolis, Indiana. The couple celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on June 26, 2017.

Hamar served his country in the Counter Intelligence Corp (CIC) division of the U.S. Army, stationed in St. Louis, Missouri.

In 1957, he moved to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and joined his father at the Chassell Box and Crate Company, where he assumed the position of general manager. 

In 1958, John became general manager of Horner Flooring Co. in Dollar Bay and, in 1960, along with his father and family, purchased Horner Flooring from the Horner family. The company expanded into other industry segments, including floorcovering distribution and manufacturing operations in other parts of the U.S. and internationally. Hamar retired as president and CEO of Horner Flooring and affiliated companies in 1987.

Hamar served and supported many organizations: member and past president of the Houghton Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris fellow; director and president of the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association (MFMA); member of the board of directors of the Hardwood Flooring Installation School and National Wood Flooring Association, among others.

In 2006, Hamar was presented with an honorary doctorate degree in Humane Letters from Finlandia University. He was inducted into the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association Hall of Fame in 2008.

Hamar is survived by his wife, daughters, son, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.