Ricky Dean “Rick” Hammond, Jr, 37, of Clay Center, died on April 6, 2024 at his residence. He was born on August 22, 1986 in Emporia, Kansas, the son of Ricky Dean, Sr. and Marie (Brown) Hammond.
Rick graduated from Olpe High School in 2005. He attended Butler Community College for athletic training, he later attended the National Academy of Railroad Science. He later moved to Manhattan, Kansas and worked in Maintenance for Central Mechanical. In 2012, Rick met the love of his life, Kate Wright and the couple wed on October 10, 2015 and moved to Clay Center in 2016. They welcomed their first son, Finnegan Wayne Hammond on October 11, 2017 and on September 22, 2023, they welcomed their second son, Boone Mason Hammond.
Rick was a man of many talents. He loved to cook (and was even good at it) and did most of the cooking. He enjoyed leather and wood working, making many special projects for his nephews and nieces and he made leather belts for his son, Finn. He had a love for all things outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed golfing with his friends and teaching Finn how to golf.
Rick will be remembered for his beard, big laugh, ability to talk to anyone about anything and overall being a great man. He was willing to help and do anything for anyone. He was a great husband, amazing father, caring son, grandson, brother and a one of a kind friend.
Rick is survived by his wife, Kate Hammond of Clay Center, Kansas; sons, Finnegan Wayne and Boone Mason Hammond, both of Clay Center, Kansas; his parents, Rick and Marie Hammond of Olpe, Kansas; brothers, Aaron (Stephanie) Hammond of Emporia, Kansas and Nathan (Patty) Hammond of Ft. Myers, Florida; grandparents, Leon Brown of Olpe, Kansas and Clyde and Joyce Hammond of Emporia, Kansas; mother in-law, Mary Wright of Morganville, Kansas; brothers in-law, Travis Wright (Jerilyn) of Kearney, Nebraska and Matt Wright of Morganville, Kansas; nephews and nieces, Zoey Lynn Hammond, Emmitt Hammond, William Hammond, Rylan Wright and Braelyn Wright; and many uncles, aunts, cousins and great friends. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Ida Joy Brown; father in-law, Wayne Wright and sister in-law, Janel Wright.
Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Clay Center, Kansas.
Visitation will be held on Monday, April 15, 2024 from 5-7 p.m. at the Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home in Clay Center, Kansas.
Interment will be in the Morganville Cemetery in Morganville, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Finn and Boone Hammond Educational Fund and can be sent in care of the funeral home.