Richard "Rich" "Chief" Howard Hammonds, 63, was born on Christmas Eve in 1960, in Lubbock, Texas. He was Promoted into Glory (changing his permanent address to his heavenly home) November 2, 2024. He is the son of the late Paul and Yvonne (Davidson) Hammonds.

Rich deeply loved and cared for his family, and he will live forever in our hearts. Rejoicing because of his promotion into glory, while grieving our earthly separation, are his loving family members—his wife: Carlene Hill Hammonds; his children: Katrina, Richard Clayton, Christa Rose, and Karsten Hammonds; his two brothers and sisters-in-law: Paul "Mike" and Eleanor Hammonds and Robert "Robbie" and Jenice Hammonds; his dear cousin: Lisa Hammonds Landers; her dear sister: Paige Honors; as well as nephews, nieces, many extended family members and dear friends.

Several things shaped Rich's early life. The most foundational was his faith in, devotion to, and love for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. For the first three years of his life, Rich was lovingly cared for by his paternal grandmother, Opal Hammonds, who stepped in when his mother was unable to properly care for him. As a teenager, when he had no other way to get to church, he walked to church by himself. Rich never shied away from praying aloud for others, reading the Word of God, physical exercise, or hard work. Rich is known for his love and care of others—even strangers. He competed in the rodeo circuit, played football and baseball, and, who knows, maybe even now, after his change of address, he still enjoys lifting weights, golfing, fishing, and causing others to laugh. He loved to sing—even singing at a rodeo on a dare—though he sang off-key.

Rich spent his early working years in a feed store, hauling hay, and training horses. He graduated from high school in Noble, Oklahoma. His genius IQ and unquenchable thirst for knowledge helped him further his education at college. He spent one semester at the University of Oklahoma, and then, (as he would often joke) "realized his mistake" and transferred to Oklahoma State University where he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering Technology. He later earned a master's degree in Management in Information Systems Security, from Colorado Technical University.

He always said the Lord led him beside…or rather to…Stillwater, and to Oklahoma State University, where he met his wife and one true love, Carlene Hill. On New Year's Eve in 1987, Rich changed her last name to Hammonds as they said their wedding vows to God, and to each other. They shared almost 37 years of marriage. This covenant union has been blessed with four wonderful and very loving children, Katrina, Richard "Clayton," Christa Rose & Karsten.

Rich loved encouraging others to "Be the Standard," by following Jesus' example. He was passionate about all types of fitness—spiritual, as well as mental, and physical. In his fight against Parkinson's Disease (PD) he learned heavy exercise slows its progression. He benched 425 lbs; leg pressed 1,005 lbs ten times and—just the week before his promotion—won a weightlifting gold medal in the Oklahoma Senior Games. He enjoyed Krav Maga and ran up to 7 miles a day—all in an effort to keep his brain communicating with his body. For a workplace competition, last year, witnesses watched in wonder as Rich worked up to completing 2,000 pushups each day.

On military active duty, Rich, "Chief," was often called overseas with the Air Force (AF) and AF Reserves. (He is a veteran of at least 3 wars.) During deployments, he was, at times, embedded with special operations to ensure their communications provided the situational awareness that command and control required for operations. In 1980, he worked at the 3rd Combat Communication Group in Crypto Maintenance. In 1986, he transferred to the 507th Comm Squadron and worked his way up to Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Maintenance. In 1996, he transitioned into the Command Post and later landed his final military assignment with the 35th Combat Communications Squadron, where he was promoted to Chief Master Sergeant (E9). He closed an extremely successful career after serving our country honorably for a total of 33 years—retiring in 2013. He was deployed 17 of those years and had been shot at on five different continents. Even with PD tremors, he still shot "expert" as a marksman.

Chief spent many years working on Tinker Air Force Base, until 1996 when he took a position with the Oklahoma Student Loan Authority as a Network Support Specialist. Finally, in 2007, his extensive technical experience positioned him well to serve as a Security Systems Analyst for PEAK Security Systems. His 17-year contribution to this team concluded with his promotion into glory.

Reaching the finish line of life ahead of him, were his Parents: Paul Howard and Yvonne Davidson Hammonds; loving step-mother Beatrice "Bea" Darcim Hammonds; Grandparents: Delmer "Leon" Hammonds and Ora "Opal" Butler Hammonds; Rube "Curley" W. Davidson and Lillian Monson Davidson; and step-grandmother Stella Fowler Davidson; Uncles: Richard Leon Hammonds and Ron Winford Davidson.

Rich had an extraordinary ability to make everyone feel loved. He treasured his loved ones and friends, caring little about who people were or where they came from. From General to janitor, Rich treated all with respect, warmth, and kindness. With his worldclass storytelling skills, sense of humor, and quick wit, Rich brought love, light, and laughter with him wherever he went. Thank you so much for sharing this time of sorrow and celebration with us, and as Rich would always say, "Have a blessed day!"