O'Dean L. Hammett Jr., 80, died at his home in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, on May 16, 2021.
May 16, 2021. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. May 28 at Sneed Funeral Chapel in Lampasas. Graveside services with military honors will follow at 2 p.m. at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen.
Known as "Papa D," O’Dean was born on Sept. 12, 1940 in Conroe to O'Dean L. Hammett Sr. and Benita Clements Hammett.
He grew up in Lampasas, Burnet, Corpus Christi and Conroe. He graduated from W.B Ray High School in Corpus Christi in 1959.
After high school, O'Dean joined the Air Force in October 1960 and served his country for 21 years.
He applied and tested for a special division called the Office of Special Investigations Air Force Intelligence. He moved his family to Fort Ord in Monterrey, California, where he attended a Defense Language Institute and became fluent in Japanese in less than one year.
His tours of duty included posts in Japan, Iran, Vietnam and the Philippines, to name a few. He retired from the USAF and the OSI as senior master sergeant.
He received many awards to include Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Good Conduct Medal 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship, Non-commissioned Officer Professional Military Education, Air Force Longevity Service, National Defense Service Medal and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross.
Upon retirement from the Air Force, he began a career within the aerospace industry as the divisional director of security.
O'Dean married Crystal in June of 1988 in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. They were married for 32 years.
He enjoyed golfing and followed many sports. He also shared many stories of overseas living and his travels abroad.
Survivors include his wife, Crystal, of Lake Havasu City; daughter, Shelley (Allan) Baker of Dana Point, California; son, Christopher Hammett of Laguna Nigel; daughter by marriage, Joely Fish of Lake Havasu City; son by marriage, Joseph Fish Jr. of Torrance, California; brother, Grady (Beverly) Hammett of Temple, Texas; and sister, Millo Owens of Wolfe City, Texas. He had a special bond with his cousins Craig, Jimmy and Richard Hammett of Lampasaas, Texas.
Papa D has six grandchildren, Jeremy, Jaely (Travis) and Joshua (Dana) of Lake Havasu City, and Javin, Jaxon and Jade of Torrance; and a great-grandchild, Jaydn of Lake Havasu City. He also has many cousins, nieces and nephews of Texas.
The family requested donations be made in O'Dean's honor to The Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate.
