O'Dean L. Hammett, Jr.

O'Dean L. Hammett, Jr., 80, passed away at his home in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, on Sunday, May 16, 2021.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, May 28, 2021, at Sneed Funeral Chapel.  Graveside Services with military honors will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, TX.

Lovingly known as our "Papa D", he was born on September 12, 1940 in Conroe, TX to O'Dean L. Hammett, Sr., and Benita Clements.  O'Dean grew up in Lampasas, Burnet, Corpus Christi and Conroe, Texas.  He graduated from W.B Ray High School, in Corpus Christi, Texas in 1959.  After high school O'Dean joined the Air Force in October of 1960 and proudly served his country for 21 years.  

Always striving to better himself, he applied and tested for a special division called the "OSI" (Office of Special Investigations) Air Force Intelligence.  He moved his family to Fort Ord Monterrey California where he attended a Defense Language School and became fluent in Japanese in less than 1 year.  His tours of duty including 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, CA.  They were happily married for 32 years.  He enjoyed golfing and followed many sports.  He shared many stories of overseas living and travels abroad, his stories will be deeply missed.

O'Dean was preceded in death by his parents, O'Dean, Sr., and Benita Clements Hammett.

Survivors include his spouse, Crystal of Lake Havasu City, AZ; daughter, Shelley (Allan) Baker of Dana Point, CA; son, Christopher Hammett of Laguna Nigel; daughter by marriage, Joely Fish of Lake Havasu City, AZ; son by marriage, Joseph Fish, Jr. of Torrance, CA; brother, Grady (Beverly) Hammett of Temple, TX; sister, Millo Owens of Wolfe City, TX.  He had a special bond with his cousins Craig, Jimmy and Richard Hammett of TX.  Papa D had 6 grandchildren; Jeremy, Jaely (Travis), Joshua (Dana) of Lake Havasu City, AZ, Javin, Jaxon, Jade of Torrance, CA; great-grandchild, Jaydn of Lake Havasu City, AZ.  He also loved and was loved by many cousins, nieces and nephews of Texas.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be made in O'Dean's honor to The Wounded Warriors Project at https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate