James O'Grady Hammond

James(Jim) O'Grady Hammond, 86, was called to his heavenly home on November 22, 2022, surrounded by family, love, music, and laughter. After a well fought battle with illness, he died peacefully knowing his favorite OU Sooners had defeated OSU Cowboys. He was adored by his family and will be missed by all who knew him. Jim was born in Ryan, Oklahoma, on June 16,1936, to Pauline Chambers Hammond Mays and Morris Ewing Hammond. He was the oldest of three children. He graduated from Oklahoma City Central High School in 1954 as a three-sport letterman. He attended OU on a baseball scholarship where he broke pitching records and graduated with a degree in Architecture. From his mother, Jim inherited his artistic talent and from his father, his athletic ability. Jim and Mary Alice Hall were married in 1S58 and had four children. He began his career working at an architectural firm in Altus, OK, then moved to Anadarko, OK, where he created his own company, and then began working in Civil Service as a Master Planner at Ft. Sill Army Post, a Project Manager at Sheppard Air Force Base, and finally as a Contract Negotiator for the Tulsa District Corps of Engineers before retiring. Jim and Judy (Veylupek) Brown were married in 1992 and happily spent 30 years together in Tulsa. They shared a love of God serving in various ways at Faith United Methodist Church. Jim was a Sunday school teacher, member.of the trustees, usher, driver for youth trips, player and coach on the church softball team, as well as a team player for many years in the Golf Fore Missions tournaments. He and Judy spent lots of time going to estate and garage sales. Jim was a talented artist, a photographer, and a writer and teller of short stories, but his greatest passion was golf. He was a member of several golf clubs during his lifetime as well as being a member of the "hole-in-one association". Jim played and won many tournaments with his brother, Jerry, and other longtime friends. An amazing father who raised strong willed, happy children, Jim gave them a sense of selfworth and humor. He was their biggest fan and his love and support of them was unquestionable. Jim is survived by his beloved wife, Judy Hammond, of the home, a sister, Diane Culpepper, Lindsay, OK, and children Karen Hammond, Denver, CO, Curtis Hammond(Sarah Merrill), Minneapolis, MN, Linda Hammond John(Jimmy Seikel), Frisco, TX, and Alison Hammond, Oklahoma City, OK. His grandchildren are William Hammond, Jena John-McGuire(Renno), Justin Houston, and Nolan Grunska. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Jackie Patterson, Oklahoma City, OK, his brother-in-law, Gary Veylupek, Austin, TX as well as cousins, niece and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Pauline and Morris, his step-father, Othelta Mays, his brother, Jerry, and his niece, Ashley Hammond. A memorial service will be held on January 20, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Faith United Methodist Church 7431 E. 91st, Tulsa. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make donations to Faith UMC Missions, American Diabetes Association, or Myasthenia Gravis Foundation.

James O'Grady Hammond

June 16, 1936 - November 22, 2022