Obituary for Richard Hammons
Richard D. Hammons passed away on August 26, 2019 at McCall Hospice House in Simpsonville, SC after a long battle with cancer. He was 78. He was born on April 19, 1941 in Hamilton, WA to Carl Hampton Buller and Mamie Trull Buller. He was born in the car speeding down the mountain toward the hospital and was nicknamed Speed.
In addition to his wife Barbara Hammons of Greenville, South Carolina; Rich is survived by his two children, Kristie Bryant (Steve) and Bill Hammons of Austin, Texas; two grandchildren, Cordelia and Parker Bryant; four stepchildren and five step grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Gary Hammons and his sister Darlene Libby of Washington State.
Rich grew up on Widbey Island, Washington and graduated from Coupeville High School in 1959. He attended Skagit Valley College for two years before joining the Army. During high school he lettered in football, basketball and baseball. Rich was class president, student body president, on honor roll every year and a National Merit Scholar. He had the highest SAT score of anyone ever on Widbey Island. (1,590 out of 1,600)
In 1961, Rich enlisted in the Army, rising to the rank of Major. He commanded Chinook helicopter companies on two tours in Vietnam, the 271st Aviation Company, and became an instructor pilot and Senior Army Aviator. He received an expert infantry badge and the Bronze Star with “V” for Valor, in 1968, for “meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces.”
In 1966, Rich married and had two children, Kristie Lee and William Robert (“Bill”).
Rich received his Master’s Degree in Business Administration in 1980 and became a stock broker in Seattle. He had a great zest for life and lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed sailing Puget Sound, hiking in the North Cascades, biking, fishing, dancing and golf.
After receiving a second Master’s Degree in Psychology in 2003, Rich opened a marriage and family therapy practice in Seattle.
Rich moved to Houston in 2007 to be with his grandkids. He opened his therapy practice in Houston.
In 2008, Rich met the love of his life, Barbara, and they married in 2009. Not soon after, they moved to Greenville, South Carolina. They enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends and family.
Rich was a member of Christ Church Episcopal. He will be greatly missed by his family and many loving friends. The funeral will be held at Christ Church Episcopal in Markley Chapel on Thursday, September 12th at 3:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sierra Club or the Cancer Society of Greenville.
In addition to his wife Barbara Hammons of Greenville, South Carolina; Rich is survived by his two children, Kristie Bryant (Steve) and Bill Hammons of Austin, Texas; two grandchildren, Cordelia and Parker Bryant; four stepchildren and five step grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Gary Hammons and his sister Darlene Libby of Washington State.
Rich grew up on Widbey Island, Washington and graduated from Coupeville High School in 1959. He attended Skagit Valley College for two years before joining the Army. During high school he lettered in football, basketball and baseball. Rich was class president, student body president, on honor roll every year and a National Merit Scholar. He had the highest SAT score of anyone ever on Widbey Island. (1,590 out of 1,600)
In 1961, Rich enlisted in the Army, rising to the rank of Major. He commanded Chinook helicopter companies on two tours in Vietnam, the 271st Aviation Company, and became an instructor pilot and Senior Army Aviator. He received an expert infantry badge and the Bronze Star with “V” for Valor, in 1968, for “meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces.”
In 1966, Rich married and had two children, Kristie Lee and William Robert (“Bill”).
Rich received his Master’s Degree in Business Administration in 1980 and became a stock broker in Seattle. He had a great zest for life and lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed sailing Puget Sound, hiking in the North Cascades, biking, fishing, dancing and golf.
After receiving a second Master’s Degree in Psychology in 2003, Rich opened a marriage and family therapy practice in Seattle.
Rich moved to Houston in 2007 to be with his grandkids. He opened his therapy practice in Houston.
In 2008, Rich met the love of his life, Barbara, and they married in 2009. Not soon after, they moved to Greenville, South Carolina. They enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends and family.
Rich was a member of Christ Church Episcopal. He will be greatly missed by his family and many loving friends. The funeral will be held at Christ Church Episcopal in Markley Chapel on Thursday, September 12th at 3:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sierra Club or the Cancer Society of Greenville.