James Virgil Hammett Jr. of Lampasas died on Dec. 31, 2023, at age 81.
Born to Mary Frances Casbeer Hammett and James Virgil Hammett on Aug. 18, 1942, Jimmy grew up in Lampasas, spending time with his friends, siblings and cousins riding horses, hunting rattlesnakes and working on the ranch.
As a member of the Class of 1960 at Lampasas High School, Jimmy was captain and quarterback of the football team. At halftime, he grabbed his trumpet to march with the band.
Jimmy went on to The University of Texas, where he pledged Delta Tau Delta fraternity and made lifelong friends. He graduated from UT School of Law in 1966 and became an oil and gas litigator. As a young lawyer, he clerked at the Texas Supreme Court. He also was proud to work with his father at the law office in Lampasas.
He then moved to Austin to join the firm Stubbeman, McRae, Sealy, Laughlin, and Browder. In 1983, he became managing partner of the firm’s Houston office. His legal career in Houston also included stints at Butler & Binion (1985) and Scott, Douglas & Luton (1988). During these years, he also worked with the federal government to bring to justice some of the bad actors in that era’s savings and loan crisis.
Jimmy’s accomplishments as a lawyer matched his skills in the kitchen. He was known as a consummate chef, pancake maker, pitmaster, host and life of the party. He loved books, golf, football, dogs and history. Steadfast guidance, strong character, wisdom, humor, and a love of life and a good time were his hallmarks.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his wife, Deborah Allen Hammett.
He is survived by his longtime companion, Candace Templet; a brother, Richard Hammett; a sister, Susan Browder and husband, Bill Browder; daughters from his first marriage, Holly Hammett Norman (husband Lee Norman) and Mary Hammett Stevenson (husband Malcolm Stevenson); stepson, Allan Charles Wright Jr.; and grandchildren Jack, Lily, James, Van, Deva, Gia and Violette.
Memorial services will be held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church on Jan. 7, 2024 at noon. Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel has charge of arrangements.
Memorial donations may be made to the Library Foundation of Lampasas, Texas at 201 S. Main St., Lampasas, TX 76550.
