Lawrence Hammond

Lawrence Milton Hammond died peacefully with his family by his side, Monday, March 11, 2013. He was 74 years old. The funeral will be held Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. at First Baptist Church of Keller where Mr. Hammond many years ago served as interim pastor. First Baptist is located at 225 Keller Pkwy in Keller, Texas. Mr. Hammond will lie in state at Lucas Funeral Home, 1321 Precinct Line Road in Hurst, Texas. Visitation will be Friday, March 15, 2013, 8:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. with family receiving friends from 4:00 until 8:00. Memorial: Donations may be made in Lawrence's honor to the, Texas Pythian Home for Children at www.pythianhome.org/support_donate.html Bearers of Mr. Hammond's casket will be Darrell Durant, Rodney Durant, Bobby Talley, Keith Talley, Leon Pulliam Jr., Kirby Cox, Jr. Sonny Gartrell, Damon Brooks and Rick Stevens. Mr. Hammond was born July 30, 1938, in Winthrop, Arkansas, the youngest of nine children parented by Robert and Julia Hammond. Mr. Hammond enjoyed going to school. He graduated from Winthrop High School with honors. He was active in athletics. Basketball became his lifelong favorite sport. Mr. Hammond graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He enjoyed being a part of campus life and served one term as President of the Ministerial Association of the school. Mr. Hammond graduated with a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. After retiring from active church ministry, he went to Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in Dallas, Texas and was licensed as a funeral director in which capacity he worked until his death. At age 17 he began a ministry to churches as pastor. He served the following churches in Arkansas: Hicks Baptist Church, Ashdown, Arkansas; Wilton Baptist Church, Wilton, Arkansas; Winthrop Baptist Church, Winthrop, Arkansas; and Emmanuel Baptist Church, Harrison, Arkansas. He came to Texas in 1960 to pastor Live oak Baptist Church in Gatesville, Texas and attend Southwestern Seminary. Upon graduation from seminary, Mr. Hammond moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where he was pastor of First Baptist Church of Smithfield, Texas for eight years. In 1973 Mr. Hammond went to work for Tarrant Baptist Association as Administrator of Tarrant Baptist Encampment near Glen Rose, Texas. He served in that capacity for 18 ½ years. During this time Mr. Hammond served as interim pastor to the following churches: New Hope Baptist Church, First Baptist Church Saginaw, First Baptist Church Benbrook, First Baptist Church Keller, First Baptist Church Watauga, Burton Hill Baptist Church, Park Temple Baptist Church, Saginaw Park Baptist Church, Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, Beverly Hills Baptist Church, North Euless Baptist Church, Wichita Street Baptist Church, First Baptist Church Glen Rose, First Baptist Church Castle Hills and Twin Oaks Baptist Church. While living in Glen Rose, Mr. Hammond was a member of the Optimist Club, serving as president and secretary. He was the commissioner of the peewee football program in Glen Rose for five years. He actively supported all of his children in their extra-curricular activities and was very proud of their accomplishments. In 1992 Mr. Hammond went to work part time for Lucas Funeral Home as chaplain and funeral associate. In 1996 Mr. Hammond became a full time employee. Mr. Hammond was a champion of the underdog, cared about people, saw good in everyone, accepted people wherever they were in their life, and wanted to help people in their struggles. His motto was, "I am glad God called me to be a minister and am equally glad I am not the judge." His friends and family characterized him in the words of William Wordsworth, "The best portion of a good man's life is his little nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love." He is survived by: Wife, Juanita Hammond; Sons: Danny Hammond and wife, Jan; Brian Hammond and Blake Hammond; Extended family includes Jackie Lewis; Daughters: Angelia Sinclair and husband, Bill; Amy Woods and husband, Rusty; Allison Nowak and husband Rory and Jeanette Martin and husband, Brady; Stephanie Chaney and husband Steve; twenty-two grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.