Rev. Robert N. Hammons

Robert Neal Hammons, age 84, of Edmond went to be with the Lord Wednesday, September 26.  He passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving wife and children.  Hammons, a retired Baptist minister, served as pastor in Oklahoma for over 50 years including churches in Onapa, Lawton, Clinton, and Seminole.  He lived many years of his life in Seminole and had strong ties to the First Baptist Church there.  His grandparents and dad joined the church in 1918 and his mother became a member of the church in 1929.   Hammons was ordained to the Gospel ministry at First Baptist Seminole in 1949, and later returned to serve as pastor there from 1976-1993.  He was formally installed Pastor Emeritus of the church in 1995 and later returned to serve as interim pastor during his retirement years. Hammons is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ella Louise LeMaster Hammons; children Sam (Joy) Hammons, Cynthia (Larry) McMains, Diana (Greg) Nieto, Robert (Amy) Hammons, and David (Jamie) Hammons.  Hammons was beloved Grandpa to 16 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren (with four more "on the way").  He is also survived by sisters Mary Hart and Jeannie Seaborn, many extended family members and two step-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Garland and Ina Hammons, of Seminole. Hammons served in the US Marine Corp 1946-1948.  He graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1951, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1954.  During his years of ministry, Hammons was active in the Oklahoma Baptist state and association conventions, served on numerous boards, participated in 89 revivals, and led 7 tours to the Holy Lands.  Since retirement in 1993, Hammons served as interim pastor for five churches and was guest preacher numerous times in churches across the state.  He spent a year serving as pastor of the Bavaria Baptist Church in Germany and also taught three years at Oklahoma Baptist University.  In 2006, Hammons was awarded the OBU Alumni Achievement Award. Fondly known as "Brother Bob", Hammons leaves a legacy of dedicated service to the Lord and will be dearly missed by family and friends.  Memorial services will be held Saturday, September 29, 2012, at 2:00 P.M. at the First Baptist Church of Seminole.  The family will receive friends at a reception at the church following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to: OBU Office of University Advancement 500 W. University OBU Box 61275 Shawnee, OK 74804 *Please note the Robert and Ella Hammons Scholarship Fund Donations may also be made by calling the OBU Office of University Advancement at (405) 878-2703. Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma Funeral Information: September 29, 2012, 2:00 PM Seminole First Baptist Church located at 420 Reid Street, Seminole, OK 74868