Robert "Terry" Hammond

Robert Terry Hammond, 85, of Dunnellon, FL, passed away very suddenly at Ocala Trauma Center on July 11, 2022, of a massive brain bleed caused by a ruptured blood vessel.

A memorial will be held Saturday, July 23, 11:00 a.m., at First Baptist Church of Dunnellon with Pastor Russ Randall officiating. As Terry requested, his ashes will be spread on Roan Mountain in North Carolina which was his very favorite place to hike and camp.

Terry was born in Atlanta Georgia to Starling Mel  Hammond and Mary Francis Littleton Hammond on January 11, 1937. At the age  of 11 he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and remained a steadfast Christian throughout his life. He attended Russell High School in East Point Georgia, Georgia Tech, and completed his MBA at Wake Forest. He was a veteran of the US Air Force and was on active duty during the “Cuban Crisis” during the 60s. After his stint in the military, he married his high school sweetheart and began a family.  His career spanned several decades in which he was a successful manager and leader. He retired as CEO and President of Crown International.

Retirement gave him time to again play the guitar and sing. He was well known at The Orchard on the Blue Ridge Parkway and did many appearances there as well as other venues in North Carolina. He wrote, published, and recorded an original song, “Land of Pure Insanity.” Retirement also was when he (at age 80) met and married Shirley Miller Wells, the love of his life.

In addition to his parents, Terry was preceded in death by a sister Marjorie Hammond Roberts.

Terry is survived by his wife of five years, Shirley; a son Robin Hammond; a daughter Elizabeth Burch (Bruce); a son Michael Hammond (Julie); nine grandchildren; a sister Martha Hammond; and two lifetime friends who are more like brothers than friends—Harold Haddle and Leeman Borge.

Memorials may be given to First Baptist Church.

The family wishes to extend our thanks to Pastor Russ Randall who has helped us navigate through this sudden loss, members of the Jubilee Sunday School Class for their support and care, our neighbors who have been so helpful and caring, our Life Group members who prayed and gave their support, Dick and Karen Errett who were there and have continued to be there for his broken and devastated wife; and last but not least, Dianna Gabbord for the love, food, and help with everyday things.

You are gone but not forgotten; and most importantly we will be together again.

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