T.R. "Sonny" Hammond

On Monday, April 17, 2023 T.R. (Sonny) Hammond joined his loved ones in Heaven. Sonny was always adamant that the Lord knew his day and he was ready. So, the Lord called him home.
Sonny was born July 21,1938 in Glen Allen, Mississippi to Lynn and Thelma Hammond. Sonny also had 2 other siblings born to Thelma; Charlotte and Jay. Sonny graduated from high school in Rolling Fork Mississippi in 1959. After graduation, Sonny went with his dad to the river to work on barges going up and down the Mississippi. He decided 3 years was long enough on the river so he went home.
In 1960, Sonny met Patricia “Dianne” Vaughn on Christmas day. From that day forward, they were a couple.
Sonny joined the army national guard in 1961. He spent 6 years with them as he was honorably discharged. Having relocated to Texas, in 1963 Sonny asked for Dianne’s hand in marriage. Sonny got a job in Dallas at Smith Detective agency where he worked in security. Later, Sonny was hired by General Motors Corporation so they moved to Arlington. In 1965, Dana Darlene was born to them and in 1971, Timothy Richard was born completing their family of four. What a joy it was to watch his daughter in sports and his son play in the band. In 2006, after working 43 years, Sonny decided it was time to retire from GM. A family party was held and included friends, colleagues and church members. Sonny didn’t sit still long after this though. He wanted to give back his time to those in need, so he started volunteering at Mission Arlington where he did all kinds of projects, jobs and giving of his time. He spent 9 years there.
Sonny was a Mason, a life-long Baptist, where he had 2 church homes: Northside Baptist (1968-1994) and First Baptist Church (1994-present). At Northside, Sonny was a deacon, an RA teacher and he also volunteered to keep the grounds up while there. At First Baptist, Sonny & Dianne joined a wonderful Sunday School class where he “ran on” with the men, telling stories, jokes or what he saw on the news. On Sunday mornings, He also got to class early to fill up the coffee & water for those attending. These times with the men, were some of his precious memories.
Sonny is survived by Patricia Dianne, his wife of 59 years, 2 children, daughter Dana Darlene and partner Lynette Fitts, son Timothy Richard, daughter in law, Trish and 2 grandchildren, Helena Grace & Sophia Lucille, a step brother, Jay Aimesworth, a step sister, Charlotte Burns and many wonderful friends from church, the neighborhood, and work friends.
Sonny’s greatest joy was watching his 2 grandchildren grow into beautiful young girls and spending time with them however he could. As the years passed, he spent many an hour in the hospital recovering from surgeries and couldn’t devote the amount of time he wanted to them but his love and attention were so strong for them, he just knew they knew they were the apples of his eyes. What a blessed life Sonny had!
Visitation: 6-8 p.m. Monday, April 24, at Wade Family Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington. Funeral: 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 25, at Wade Family Funeral Home, Arlington. Graveside Service: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 26, at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, Dallas.