Monday, August 9, 2021, was proclaimed as John Henry Hamner Day in Cincinnati.

John Henry Hamner was a former Director of Public Works and had served the City of Cincinnati for over 38 years before retiring in 1998. During his tenure, Dr. Hamner negotiated a consent decree with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission resulting in the first African American supervisors to be hired in 1974; and, served as Interim Director of Greater Cincinnati Water Works. He was a faithful member and Ordained Deacon of the House of God since 1961, married to his wife Mae Hamner for 60 years, and had 10 children (8 boys and 2 girls). John Hamner passed away on June 16, 2021, and the City lowered flags to half-staff on the day of his rest, June 24, 2021. But for what would have been his 82nd birthday, August 9, 2021, family, friends, and City officials gathered in his church to celebrate his life and announced August 9, 2021, as John Henry Hamner Day in Cincinnati.