Richard Lee Hammonds' Obituary
Richard Lee Hammonds Sr., MD passed away on April 22, 2014. Dr.
Hammonds was born on April 25, 1935 in Henry County to the late Geraldine Richardson and Emory Howard Hammonds. A long-time resident of Cobb County, he was a graduate of the first class of South Cobb High School, whose National Honor Society chapter was named in his honor. Dr. Hammonds graduated from Auburn and Emory University’s School of Medicine. He also served as Captain in the United States Air Force and earned the Merit Award at Brooke General Hospital in Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
Dr. Hammonds practiced family medicine in Austell, Georgia. His foresight and dedication helped make Cobb General Hospital a reality in 1968, where he served as the first Chief of Staff. Dr. Hammonds also served on the WellStar Board of Directors and the Cobb Hospital Authority, all while serving Cobb’s healthcare community for 40 years.
Over those years, Dr. Hammonds’ community service extended to many other areas, including membership on the Executive Committee of the Democratic party of Georgia and service as a delegate to the Democratic Convention in 1976. He was actively involved with various committees during Jimmy Carter’s administrations as governor and President, in addition to serving on the Board of Governors for The Carter Center.
Dr. Hammonds enjoyed playing golf with his buddies and spending time with his family at St. Simons Island. He is survived by his children Terri Hammonds (William) Horne, Lisa Hammonds Semchyshyn, Tracey Hammonds (Ken) Carroll, Connie Hammonds (Steve) Buffington, Jerre Ann Hammonds (Lawrence) Skeats and Lee Hammonds, along with his ten grandchildren Nathan, Emory Horne (Darrell) Kent, Nicholas, Katherine, Benjamin, (Erin) Kendall Carroll, Wade, Cole, Graham, and Margaret. He is also survived by his siblings, (Barbara) Jerry Hammonds, Martha Hammonds Bates, and Risa Hammonds (Lester) Fielder.
Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 25, 2014 at the Austell First Baptist church where Dr. Hammonds served as a deacon and was active in the Fishers of Men Sunday School class. The family will receive visitors on Thursday, April 24, 2014 4-8 PM at Davis-Struempf Funeral Home, 1975 East-West Connector, Austell, Georgia 30106. Davis-Streumpf Funeral Home is handling arrangements to celebrate the life of Dr. Richard Lee Hammonds Sr. and a private family graveside service.
The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude and appreciation to the physicians, nurses and staff of The Fountainview Center for Alzheimer’s Care and Crossroads Hospice for their loving care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be donated to the Emory Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, 1440 Clifton Road, Suite 170, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
404.792.2211 https://med.emory.edu/ADR
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