Elder “Gabby” Gean Hammett, Sr.
Elder “Gabby” Gean Hammett, Sr., 82, of Orange, Texas, passed away on October 3, 2017, at his home surrounded by loved ones.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 6, 2017, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Reverend Randy Branch. Burial will follow the service at Autumn Oaks Memorial Park Cemetery in Orange.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Born in West Monroe, Louisiana, on December 20, 1934, Gabby was the son of Johnny Gipp Hammett and Katherine Louree McPherson Hammett. He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church where he served as secretary/treasurer and as President of United Methodist Men. Gabby also served as President of County Wide UMM. He was a member of the Orange Gideon’s Camp. He was a Vietnam Veteran who proudly served his country in the United States Air Force, worked as a deputy at Orange County Jail, a rodeo clown, and a celebrity body guard at the Bob Hope School. He spent time volunteering as an auctioneer at many benefits, umpired for ASA in Orange, and was the Chaplain of The Eagles. Gabby was the life of the party always telling jokes. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Johnny and Katherine Hammett; and his siblings, Byron Hammett, Ezra Hammett, Irma Speights, and Lavelle Hammett.

Gabby is survived by his loving wife, Coyolyn Hammett; children, Maria Garrett and husband Donnie, of Denver, CO, Elder Hammett, Jr. and wife Sammy, of Orange, Charlene Warren and husband Michael, of Bridge City, Katherine Wilson, of Bridge City, Angela Norman and Brad Parsons, of Baytown, and Tonia Ellis and husband Frank, of Jasper; 15 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; twin sister, Melvin Dean Hembree, of West Monroe, LA; and sister, Virginia Davis and husband Joe, of West Monroe, La.