Richard Charles Hammonds

Born and raised in St. Louis, MO, Richard graduated from Vashon High School, where he excelled in math and geometry, and was affectionately known by the nickname “Skeezix”. He loved his family and truly relished his friendships old and new; from the Leffingwell Ave, Petersville neighborhood, to those he knew from business ventures later in life. Richard was a generous, patient, kind and charitable person, giving cheerfully to many. He had a special affinity for historical black colleges and universities and Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena. “Have you helped someone today?”, is note that was found often jotted in his day planner.

His career path began with honorable service in the United States Air Force, at Nellis, in Las Vegas, NV. He then worked as a taxi driver for Marcella Cab Company. Friends and family tell stories about him always being there when they needed a ride. He traveled the country as regional district manager for Seagrams, and later became a financial advisor in the investments industry for over 30 years. He was one of the first African-American stock brokers for Merrill Lynch, and retired from First Union / Wells Fargo, receiving various awards and accolades during his tenure.

Richard had a distinct wisdom and sense of humor, and many were drawn to his conversations. Some would tell you, “Pull up a chair. It’s gone be a while”. He enjoyed the daily newspaper, the written word, and what he called the “power of the pen”. He also enjoyed sports, was an avid swimmer and swim teacher, spring-board diver, and baseballer (in his early years). You may have heard his jazz tunes or his tenor style chin to the chest “Beans and Cornbread” blues. He treasured different kinds of music and taught us how to isolate the sound of each instrument in a song. He would say, “Listen for the bass guitar. Don’t you hear that guitar playing? What is that guitar saying?” And of course, being from St. Louis, he loved a good slab of BBQ ribs. Richard was a connoisseur of good eats; from home cooked soul food to Harold & Belles creole restaurant with the guys, to Langers or Lucky Boys pastrami, a tradition with his daughter. A little known funny secret is that he was a bee-keeper, who once produced close to 200lbs of organic honey in a single harvest.

We cherish the memories. He is dearly missed.

Preceded in death by his parents, Nathan Thomas Hammonds and Bertha L. (Wilson), and his brother Albert “Yocko” Hammonds, he leaves, his daughter, Colette “Coco” Hiner (Hammonds), his grandsons, Aaron and Christian Hiner, his sisters Mary Howard, Elizabeth Augustine, and Kathleen Abell, and a host of family, lifelong friends, and neighbors.

A private memorial service will be held at sea, March 23, 2018, 10:30am, provided by the Neptune Society of Los Angeles, CA departing from the Port of San Pedro.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the United Negro College Fund to assist students with college tuition books, and materials, or Huntington Memorial Hospital.

http://give.uncf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Memorialzeothers

https://giving.huntingtonhospital.com/

The family of Richard Charles Hammonds

acknowledges with sincere appreciation, your prayers,

calls, concerns, thoughts and all acts of kindness shown

during this time of bereavement.

A special Thank You to:

Mr. Warner Backstrom and Mr. Steve Wilson

Mr. Lonnie Farrell

Ms. Zeldia Canada (neice)

Mrs. Wynne Wilson

The Altadena Sheriff’s Office