Gregory James Hammer

Gregory James Hammer, 48, of Tomah, died on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on January 3, 1976, to Robert and Cheryl (Johnson) Hammer in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Greg was a member of the Tomah High School graduating class of 1994. After high school he attended the Wisconsin School of Electronics in Madison, Wisconsin and then worked for InTel in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Greg was united in marriage to Amy Ritter in October of 2000. To this union were born two sons: Jagger and Gavin. Greg moved back to Tomah in 2003. He worked numerous jobs, most recently at Century Foods in Sparta. In 2006 he met his life partner, Sam Goodenough.
Greg was a friend to many. He was the bravest and strongest person you could know. He was the type of friend I hope, I truly hope, every single person on this earth has at least one of in their lifetime. He wasn't just a friend if he was your friend. He was the type that if he said he was coming, you absolutely had zero doubt he was. If he said he'd meet you there, often times he'd beat you there. If something was important enough for you to tell him about, then it became important to him. He is one of the most, no, the most selfless people I have ever encountered in my life. Greg derived joy by making others happy. He would give you the shirt off of his back if you asked and expect nothing in return. We could all learn that lesson from him. Don't ever help someone with the expectation of getting something in return. He gave selflessly in such a unique hammer way. If Greg loved you, you knew, as he loved hard. Greg loved his family and friends with a fierce passion. Sometimes it was tough love, but man that love. He loved sports and could absolutely destroy so many of us in any sport. He could turn any game into the most frustrating competition. Frustrating for the rest of us at least. Greg loved music. He oftentimes used concerts to bring groups of people together. It again gave him that joy of seeing others happy. Travel- Now this was an even greater joy than sports or music. Though he loved nothing more than to put travel and or sports and music together. When I say travel, it was always epic. He once told me he loved driving (If you know him, you know that is true). It was the place where it was just him (and whomever was lucky to be riding shotgun). No one could tell him anything. He could think- and there were no distractions. The roady; there was almost always one or two or even three in the works. If you were lucky or -goodenough- to experience one or two or ten of these epic roadies consider yourself lucky. He was known, allegedly, to even fly people to distant destinations or pay for gas and hotel rooms just to get his favorite people together. If Greg introduced you to someone, you knew immediately they are probably some of the best people you would meet. He would only introduce people that he knew were at his standard, no room for fakes, liars or cheats. At these times the laughter and joy and love he emanated was palpable. Greg had one more epic roady in the works- we can look back now and see it. It was to destination unknown- strange for Greg. He told some of us his plans and we couldn't believe it. Another roady? He said he wanted to do this one alone, no one could go. It didn't make sense to us. So, Greg had us planning along with him. On Tuesday, Greg started his most epic one yet; his eternal roady. So, to you my friend, Gregory, Greg, Homie, Hammer, Spesh, Bones, Greggie, Greggers, Greg the God 69, Uncle Dangerous; may your roady truly be epic. May you have bright blazing days, sweet starry nights and a perpetually clear windshield. Please swing by whenever you are around. You can pick each of us up as we become ready for our own final roady. We all love you and will miss you until then. See you when we see you. He will be dearly missed by all that knew and loved him.
Greg is survived by his children Jagger and Gavin (Rudy) Hammer; mother Cheryl Hammer; life partner of 18 years Samantha Goodenough; step-sons Cody (Kailyn Schaitel) and Hayden (Alayna) Peters; grandsons Chad and Kyler, brothers Brian (Tiffany) Hammer and their children Addison and Caden, Rob Hammer and his daughters Olivia and Amelia; Aunts and Uncles Steve (Kathy) Johnson and their children Sam and Olivia, Mike Johnson and his children Beth (Bobby), Nick (Chelsea), Josh (Britany), Barb Ewers and her children, Kelly (Bill), Steve (Emily). He is further survived by many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father Robert J. Hammer; Grandparents Kenneth and Dorothy Johnson, Grandma and Grandpa Hammer; and his uncles Nelvin and Gary.
A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, July 11, 2024, 1:00 P.M., at The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St. Tomah. Kirk Baumbach and Reverand Christian McArthur will officiate. Burial will be at a later date.
Family and friends are invited to call for a Visitation at The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home from 11: 00 A.M. until the time of service.
Immediately after the service there will be a Celebration of Greg's Life at the Grassman-Sowle-Larsen-Senz American Legion Post #201, 800 Wisconsin Avenue, Tomah from 2:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M.
The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered by visiting www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.