Lewis 'Ray' Hammond

Ray, the second son of J. T. and Aubrey Hammond, was born on February 11, 1947 in Houston, Texas and passed away on November 17, 2019 after a long illness. Upon graduating high school and with his parent's urging, he entered the engine service of Port Terminal Railroad and drove trains in and out of the Port of Houston his entire career.  From a railroading family, he joined his mechanic father and switchman brother, Joe Hammond, who were also employed at and eventually retired from, Port Terminal.  Ray was the ultimate 'MacGyver" and could build anything out of anything, a talent he learned from his father.

Ray is survived by his wife of 41 years, Gaye Hammond, his daughter, Stacie Hammond Brown (and husband Jason), his son, Kevin Wayne Hammond (and wife Cara), grandchildren Jakob Thomas Hammond, David Mark Kirkham, Allie Dawn Hammond and Madison Halie Kirkham, his sister, Connie Faye Billingsley, niece Shelley Blake Hammond and nephew, John Carbo.

The family will receive friends at a visitation on Friday, November 22, 2019 at the Klein Funeral Home, 1400 West Main St., Tomball, Texas, 77375 from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m.  A celebration of Ray's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 1819 Heights Boulevard, Houston, Texas, 77008 with Rector Jimmy Grace and family friend, Thomas W. Pirtle officiating.  A reception will follow the service at the Church Parish Hall.

The family expresses its extreme gratitude to the ICU caregivers at Cornerstone Medical Center and the Houston Hospice for their compassionate care during Ray's long illness and complex illness.

Floral expressions of sympathy may be directed to the funeral home.  Memorial gifts may be directed to the Houston Rose Society or the American Rose Society.

Houston Rose Society
P. O. Box 22614
Houston, TX 77227-2614

American Rose Society
8877 Jefferson Paige Rd.
Shreveport, LA 71119