HAMMON, Roy B.

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Monday, June 06, 2011 Roy B. Hammon passed away at his home in Prescott Valley on Friday, June 3, 2011. One of nine children, he was born to Charles and Mae Hammon in Bradley, Okla., on Sept. 3, 1925. Roy Hammon was often referred to as being a legend. "A legend in my mind," he would say, with his famous infectious laugh, which will be missed by all. However, Roy B. was no legend. He was real and he was larger than life. Roy B. lived life to its fullest and was always a participant, seldom an observer. Roy never met a stranger and called everyone "Pardner." A WWII Navy vet, Roy completed his naval tour and moved to Arizona in 1946 with his new wife and first son. He went to work at Southwest Flower and Seed as a truck driver in Glendale, Ariz. In 1949, he moved to Bagdad, Ariz., where he worked as a master mechanic for Bagdad Copper Corp. until 1957. With three children, Roy went to work for Phoenix based, Union Rock and Materials as a mechanic and eventually plant superintendent. In 1969, Roy and his wife, Jerri, moved back to Bagdad where they became owners of the only bar, restaurant and motel in the mining town. Dad often said, "They have the copper mine, I have the gold mine." While he did not accumulate much gold, this was most likely the place of origin for his reputation and the title, "Legend." How and why legend? Only the miners and cowboys who frequented "Roy B's Place" can answer the question. If you were fortunate enough to have known Roy and Jerri, you know that this small tribute could go on for pages. Roy B. would likely say to you, "Thanks for reading this, Pardner. When we meet in heaven we'll go fishing, shoot some golf, rope some steers, go hunting or just sit and visit, it's up to you." Thank you, Roy, for being dad, daddy, pop, grandpa, greatest and friend. We love you and miss you, rest in peace. Roy Hammon was preceded in death by Jerri, his devoted wife of 59 years. He is survived by brother, Charles R. Hammon (Ernestine) of Phoenix; and sister, Ann Ziede (Frank) of Mesa. Roy will be missed by his son Terry Hammon (Anna Marie); daughter Nonie Hartzell (Bill); son Roy Hammon II. Grandchildren, Christopher Hammon (Melissa), Matthew Hammon (Sandie), Billy Hartzell (Heather), Misty Ventura (Gilbert), Heath Hartzell (Shiloh), Vanessa Hartzell, R. J Hammon, and Kelsey Furnise; great grandchildren, Tyler, Mason, Preston, Hannah, Sarah, J.R. (Ashley), Roy (Rachel), Brandon, Shekira, Cheyenne, Hayden, Colton, Ashton, Dylan, Victoria, Tobias; great-great grandchildren, Kaylee, Landen and Leelan. Memorial service will be at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7885 E. Long Look Drive, Prescott Valley, Ariz., on June 8, 2011, at 3 p.m. Graveside service will be at Veterans National Memorial Cemetery, 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, Ariz., at 10 a.m. on June 9, 2011. To benefit two children close to our family, in lieu of flowers, we appreciate donations to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Arizona Chapter, 3800 N. Central Ave. Suite 700 Phoenix, AZ 85021. Please designate "Donation in Memory of Roy B. Hammon." This may also be completed online at http://www.cff.org/GetInvolved/ManyWaysToGive/Donate/index.cfm. Information provided by survivors.