Harry Hammond Obituary

Harry Hammond
Harry Hammond passed away at his home Wednesday, May 16, 2012. He was 87 years old. Harry was born in San Diego, Ca in 1924, and moved to Santa Maria at a young age. Harry joined the Navy at 17 and met his soon to be wife, Vicki Hammond while stationed in Boston. The couple had a whirlwind romance that cumulated in a sixty three year marriage. Harry brought Vicki back to Santa Maria to begin their life together. Harry loved the life of the central coast and the sunshine. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved the camaraderie that went with it. He was also the ultimate family man, taking his two daughters on adventures whenever he could. Harry was fiercely loyal and kept many friends from childhood while continuing to make new friends wherever he went. There was no one that could tell a better story than Harry. He could make you laugh till you cried.
Harry really enjoyed life, be it traveling to Paris and Ireland, visiting his daughters and grandchildren or playing pool at the senior citizen center with friends. He loved animals, especially his Springer Spaniel, Bridey who he walked every morning, greeting neighbors and making friends. For Harry, there was no such thing as a stranger and no place more beautiful than Santa Maria, California. He had a keen mind for business which was cultivated through his work in real estate for over 40 years. Be it his daughters, his grandchildren, or his friends Harry always had the time to listen, offer advice and encouragement. He believed in the good of people and helped those around him to believe the same. When spending time with Harry there was no greater gift than that hearty laugh that would shake his whole body until everyone in the room was laughing with him, whether or not they got the joke. No matter how you knew him, you couldn't forget him. He loved the people in his life so powerfully it was a gift to have him near. Harry will always be a presence in our lives and we are beyond blessed to have known such an incredible man.
Harry is survived by his daughters Valerie Hammond (Bob), Connie Willard (Ken), and grandchildren, Luc Thomas, Emma Thomas, Colette Willard and Nick Willard.
A Memorial Service for Harry will take place Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 11:00 am at the Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, 1003 E. Stowell Rd, Santa Maria. A reception will immediately follow at Rancho Bowl 128 E. Donovan Rd., Santa Maria.
Arrangements are under the direction of Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

Dudley-Hoffman
Mortuary & Crematory
(805) 922-8463
www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Santa Maria Times on May 23, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Harry Hammond

9 Entries

Sofia

May 29, 2012

I waited on Harry for many years at The Office Restaurant along with his wife Vicki. Two of the nicest people you could meet. So sad to see he had passed.

May 28, 2012

Dear Valerie and Connie,

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
With Deep Sympathy,
Carole Meehan

May 26, 2012

Dear Valerie and Connie,
I am so sorry for the death of your Dad. He was a great guy with a good sense of humor! Hopefully he's walking with Mary and all his springer spaniels somewhere in heaven now!

Tom and Jayne Donnelly

May 25, 2012

Dearest Connie, Valerie and family,
I was saddened to read about your dad's passing but also flooded with so many sweet memories of the times I spent at your house as a teenager. I remember the first time I slept over and how amazed I was when we walked out to the kitchen and there was Harry at the stove asking us how we like our steak and eggs. He had already drawn your mom's bath,had the table set and would be cheerfully talking to Summit while he cooked. I was awed by how wonderful he was and it was inspiring to me to know a dad could be so good. He loved his girls. I will light a candle for him tonight to celebrate his reuniting with Vicki. Love you, Cindy Singleton

Helen Petrea Hammond

May 23, 2012

Speaking as a fellow Hammond (and now eldest member of the clan) I would like to talk about my favorite, Uncle Harry.

My earliest memories of the "Uncle" are from about age four when he and Auntie came home from Navy duty. I remember thinking they were the most fun and glamorous people I knew. I couldn't wait for Uncle Harry to walk on his hands across the living room or to chase me around on fours doing his gorilla imitation while whooping and screaming around the entire house with his gorilla facial expression......made him do it over and over again!

He loved his children and grand children to death and always kept me up on what was happening with the family. When you guys (Val and Connie) were babies we saw him often because he would drive over with one of you in the car seat sleeping because it was easier to get you sleepy....adorable little people that you were/are. I loved to babysit with you guys because you were so cute... and so that I could try on Auntie's jewelry and clothes while they were out.

On my 70th birthday we went to lunch with him and we were talking about gray hair, I said I was thinking about letting my hair go gray and he said "don't do it! Vickie never did it and she was beautiful until the day she died and it kept her young".. therefore, I will forever remain my natural color!

I'm sure Uncle Harry and Auntie Vickie are up there in Heaven with Dad(Matt),Parnell, and Tony Gomes and the gang having a heck of a noisy reunion and barbque.

I loved both my Aunt and Uncle very much and will truly miss them forever. They both were truly "one of a kind"

Love to you all, your cousin, Bena

Orville Naab

May 23, 2012

Valerie and Connie,

I wanted to extend my deepest sympathy on your dad's passing. Although it is little consolation at this sad time, it must be gratifying to know that in his passing we celebrate the end of a very long and productive life.

How fortunate for you to have had him for all these years, and so close by and able to see your children grow up. I think his proudest moments were in the role of "grandpa" and I know your children thought the world of him, as we all did.

I know that you and the kids will miss him dearly, as I will. I'm just glad that I have so many happy memories to remember him by.

May you find the strength to move forward with the confidence in knowing that his was a life well-lived. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

In Sympathy,

Orville Naab

Alister & Sinclair Soré

May 23, 2012

While we are mourning the loss of our friend Harry, others are rejoicing to meet him behind the veil.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you,

Alister & Sinclair Soré

Cynthia Naab Soré

May 23, 2012

Life is eternal, and love is immortal,
and death is only a horizon;
and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.

With heartfelt condolences,

Cynthia Naab Soré

Rita Romero

May 23, 2012

Valerie, Connie and families, With my deepest sympathy for the loss of your father. He and your mom were such wonderful people. I have so many memories of my childhood that involve them. Love, Rita Dell Libbon Romero

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