Darman Dennis "Dennis" Hamer

Darman Dennis Hamer, affectionately known to family and friends as Dennis, passed away on March 4, 2026, just one day short of his 83rd birthday.

Dennis was born on March 5, 1943, in Independence, Missouri, to Wilma Darlene (Place) and Truman Dorce "Jack" Hamer. As the son of an Army serviceman, he spent part of his childhood moving with his family before graduating from East Jefferson High School in Metairie, Louisiana, in 1961. He later served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves.

Dennis eventually settled in Massachusetts, where he made a home with Joan (DeCruz), whom he married in 1965. Although they later divorced, they shared 16 years of marriage and welcomed three children together.

A mechanic by trade, Dennis had a natural talent for working with his hands and took great pride in being able to repair and restore just about anything mechanical. He worked for a time at Arnold Harley-Davidson in Providence, Rhode Island, and later operated his own motorcycle repair business, "Blow Hard Sportsters", out of the family garage. He built a long career with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. When the company's New Bedford, Massachusetts branch closed in 1990, Dennis relocated to Topeka, Kansas, where he remained with Goodyear until his retirement in 2008.

Anyone who knew Dennis knew how much he loved engines, motorcycles, and cars, and he was happiest when tinkering with or fixing something with his hands. Whether it was a motorcycle, a car, or just about anything man-made, he believed he could fix it (and usually could). He also enjoyed watching old black-and-white westerns, but his favorite movie was My Cousin Vinny. Most recently he has been enjoying his luncheon outings at the Golden Corral and spending time there with friends. In his younger years, Dennis was known for his sense of humor, playful spirit, and his love for joking around and being a goofball. He will be remembered for his wit, his hobbies, and especially for the fierce love and devotion he had for his mother. Though time and circumstance created distance, Dennis remained part of the lives and hearts of his children. He was dad and papa, the memories remain impactful and he will be remembered with grace and love by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, near and far.

Dennis leaves behind three children, a son Mark (Patricia) Hamer of Omaha, Nebraska, and two daughters, Denise (Graham) Charland of New Bedford, Massachusetts, and Wanda Hamer of Fairhaven, Massachusetts; his three grandchildren, Charlotte Hamer and her fiancée, Meaghan, and Jessica (Cassidy) Galligan, both of New Bedford, Massachusetts, and Amy Galligan and her partner, Tyree, of Fairhaven, Massachusetts; five great-grandchildren; his brother, Darrell (Diane) Hamer of Thornton, Colorado and his sister, Pamela Fay of Abilene, Kansas; several nephews, a niece; extended family members, and friends.

Dennis has been reunited in heaven with his parents, Jack and Darlene.

A private service will be held at a later date.