Richard "Dick" Hammonds

Musician and entertainer, Richard "Dick" Hammonds, stepped into the presence of Jesus on Saturday, April 10, 2021 surrounded by his loved ones, who will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest. His battle with serious medical issues in recent years showed his courage in facing life's challenges with a smile. Despite the pain, Dick came out a hero and stayed strong until the end. Dick was born to Andrew & Gertrude Hammonds in Camden, Arkansas on October 10, 1935. His charismatic personality and charm prepared him for a life of entertainment. Dick's love for music began as a young child. He traveled the bible belt with his father, who was a Pentecostal Preacher, and entertained the masses at church revivals with his mandolin and angelic voice. Soon after learning to play the mandolin, he began playing the guitar. He was a big brother to Gaylan Michael Hammonds, who preceded him in death in 2002. Dick was blessed with a very large, loving family. On July 10, 1952 at the age of 16, he married the love of his life, Joyce Bain & resided in Mesquite to raise their family. Dick served in the United States Air Force from 1952-1954. Soon after, he began his music career in El Paso, where he formed his first band & recorded some of his first vinyl records. He soon headed to Nashville to work for Marty Robbins when he stopped over in Dallas to let his four children finish their school year and ended up residing in Mesquite permanently. Dick later became a front man for Ray Price, entertaining country music fans at Panther Hall as well as on a Saturday evening television show called the Cowtown Jamboree. Dick formed his own band and began singing and playing the guitar for a number of years. He opened the first Country and Western show at Six Flags called The Six Flags Shindig. Dick eventually ended up working as a salesman for Clanton's Quality Awning Co. where he retired in 2014 after 37 years of loyalty and hard work. During that time, he continued entertaining and singing country music for a number of years at private parties & events. He has played at The Mesquite Rodeo, Walt Garrison Rodeo(where he fronted for George Strait), The Longhorn Ballroom, The State Fair Chevy and GMC Truck shows for six years and Clara Walker's Rodeo City Music Hall in Mesquite. Dick has written and recorded many songs over the years and performed at many country clubs and private parties such as Clint Murchison's 60th birthday, Ross Perot and Jim Nabor's 75th birthday parties and a party given for the famous photographer, Richard Avedon. One of his favorite performances was at a party given by the Meadows family where Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier were guests and Dick would laugh and say he had the privilege of entertaining royalty that night. He played the Cattle Baron's Ball, Taste of Plano and many grand openings for McDonald's stores owned by his good friend Charlie O'Reilly. In addition, he was privileged to perform for Chuck Norris at a kick-off party for his Kick Start Program. Dick was one of the original members of the Hella Westerners formed in 1962 by his friend, Dewey Groom. They featured some of the top musicians around the world. He was inducted as a Hella Shriner in 1968 & remained a faithful nobleman until his death. Dick was a 32nd degree Mason receiving his 50 year pin in 2010. One of Dick's greatest achievements was his induction into the Cowtown Society of Western Music Hall of Fame in 2008 surrounded by all of his loved ones. In 1977, Dick's album, Late Night Country Loving Music was listed in Billboard's Top Single Picks for Country Music. In his spare time, you could find him watching old Western shows and movies or reading a good Western book. He loved spending time outdoors, hunting and fishing were his passion. Dick never met a stranger. He once ran into Clint Eastwood, his favorite actor, at a grocery store in California and as Dick would do he struck up a very one-sided conversation. He would love to tell about his star-struck moment. Dick's pride was in his family. He loved being surrounded by his big, loud family. Dick was the heart and soul of his family and he knew not to show up to a gathering without his guitar in hand. If you knew Dick, you knew you had a loyal friend for life. Dick's love of life didn't come to an end with his death, his family will continue to be inspired by his infectious personality, his generosity and his strength. Dick is survived by his wife of 68 years, Joyce; his children who inherited his quick wit Brenda Hammonds, Randy Hammonds, Carrie Gron and husband Rene, Julia Sirmans and husband Murry, Alyssia Trimble and husband Michael, Randall Hammonds and wife Leah, and Jodie Kocher; grandchildren Nicole Brehm and husband Kyle, Ryan Hammonds and wife Molly, Ricky Sirmans and wife Carly; great-grandchildren Tyler, Morgan, Megan, Alyssa, Courtney, Jacob, Lexi, Dylan, Addyson, Landon, Beau, Olivia, Wyatt, Hayes and Calan; great-great grandchild Lillie Joyce; Dick is preceded in death by his son Rickey Hammonds; parents Andrew Hammonds and Gertrude Stone; and brother Gaylen Michael Hammonds. Funeral Services will be held at New Hope Funeral Home in Sunnyvale. Visitation: Friday, April 16 from 6-8 pm, funeral service: Saturday, April 17 at 2 pm, followed by burial at Rylie Cemetery, Dallas Tx.