Jerry Dean Hammett was born on November 5, 1947 to Clyde and Nelliene Hammett in Odessa, TX. As a young child, Jerry began attending the Texas School for the Deaf in Austin, TX. It was there, at age eight, he met his future wife and the love of his life, Jane Louise Dudley (known as Louise). A devoted son, Jerry left TSD to care for his mother as she battled cancer. Jerry and Louise were married on October 8, 1972 in Odessa, TX. Ready to escape the constant smell of oil, the young couple moved to Waco. They joined Columbus Avenue Baptist Church where Jerry accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and was baptized on July 22, 1979 by Pastor Marshall Edwards. In 2007 Jerry retired from Cargill after 35 years of service. Jerry remained a faithful member of the Columbus Avenue Baptist Church Deaf ministry until his death, and was always eager to encourage hearing church members who tried to learn sign language to greet him. On October 8, 2022 God graciously allowed Jerry and Louise to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with Louise's nephew and his wife, Reggie and Jill Dean. Jerry went to be with his Heavenly Father on Friday, October 14, 2022.
Graveside services will be held 9:00 a.m, Wednesday, October 19 at Rosemound Cemetery. A memorial service will follow at 10:00 a.m. at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church.