Jeffrey Scott Hammack

Retired Firefighter/Paramedic, Sergeant Jeffrey Scott Hammack, 72, died on Friday March 20, 2026, after suffering a serious brain injury. He passed peacefully from this earth at Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News, Virginia, with his wife, Thia, at his side.

He was born on January 10, 1954, in Austin, Texas, and later moved to Williamsburg, Virginia, at the age of four, where he grew up, married, raised a family, and established a career with the City of Williamsburg Fire Department.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Hammack, unborn daughter Laura, and his brother Andrew Hammack.

Jeff is survived by his loving family: wife and companion of 21 years, Thia Hammack; former wife, Julie Hammack; daughters Rebecca Moreno (JW), Kimberly Doherty (Eric), Sarah Downey (Justin), and Amy Hammack; and brother Greg Hammack (Ginny). He is missed by 10 grandchildren: Morgan Doherty, Skye Allan, Paisley Allan, Madelyn Doherty, Ian Allan, Ayton Allan, Elliot Downey, Isaac Downey, step-granddaughter Bailey Curvin, and step-grandson Ellis Hall. He is also remembered by his stepson, Anthony Hall (Aiden Christian), former son-in-law, Scot Allan, and two nephews, Robert and Jacob Hammack, along with numerous friends, colleagues, and community members impacted by Jeff’s passing. Special thanks to Battalion Chief Eric Stone (retired) and the Williamsburg Fire Department for their love, help, and support during this difficult time.

Jeff was an avid lover of all things outdoors and always wanted to go on what he called “adventures.” He enjoyed hiking, camping, and exploring. Among his many adventures, backpacking along portions of the Appalachian Trail and the Rockies, visiting Chincoteague, seeing New Orleans, riding on the legendary steam locomotive No.12 “Tweetsie” engine, exploring the Grand Canyon, whitewater rafting, and traveling to Texas not only to experience the total solar eclipse, but to visit the church his ancestors founded, were some significant highlights. As a boy, Jeff was involved with the Boy Scouts and became an Eagle Scout. These were impressionable organizations that helped shape the man Jeff grew to be and nurtured his love, knowledge, and respect for nature.

Jeff’s other interests included reading, writing, history, kite flying, space, aviation, sailing, bowling, and eating (Wow, did he love to eat!). As a young boy, he always wanted to be an astronaut, but when less-than-perfect vision prevented him from becoming a pilot, he pursued a career in fire and rescue. Jeff became a volunteer firefighter for the City of Williamsburg at the age of 19, and there, his career and dedication to public service began. He earned his associate's degree in Fire Science from Thomas Nelson Community College. His 29 and a half years working as a paramedic and firefighter tragically came to an end when he suffered an on-the-job injury that forced him into early medical retirement. Jeff’s contributions as a public servant included, though were not limited to, the following: he was one of the first Cardiac Technicians on the Peninsula, he trained as a Pediatric Medical Services Technician at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington D.C., he worked with Peninsula Emergency Medical Services, he dedicated time to the stress debriefing team, taught EMT courses, volunteered at various rescue squads in need of help in surrounding areas, and served as a lifeguard.

Jeff, for a short time, also owned and ran his own chimney sweep business called Fire-Safe Chimney Sweeps. There are some fun memories wrapped around that clanky, old, baby blue chimney sweeping van with all the ladders rattling on top as he traveled down the road. After his early retirement, Jeff worked as a lifeguard at the Great Wolf Lodge, served as a security guard for City Center at Oyster Point (He did not care for that job.), was employed at the Peninsula Regional Airport, and worked as a car salesman (He was not fond of that job either!).

In November of 2017, Jeff endured a devastating stroke which changed his life forever, and one he miraculously survived. Doctors and therapists never expected him to walk again, but with hard work and determination, he proved them wrong and not only relearned to stand again, but also how to walk short distances, and even navigate some steps with assistance. His strong will and motivation to succeed was an inspiration and testimony to all who knew and cared for him. He also commented that God allowed the stroke to occur in order “to force him to stop and slow down.”

Aside from his career as a first responder and stroke survivor, Jeff was an average man… a father, husband, son, brother, adventurer, grandfather, and family man. He often said he did not like being considered a hero. He was just doing his job. Regardless of his wishes, Jeff passed from this earth a hero whose legacy will live on in all who loved and knew him.

The family will receive visitors on Tuesday, March 31, from 6-8 pm at Nelsen Funeral Home located at 3785 Strawberry Plains Road, Williamsburg, Virginia 23188. A funeral is also planned at Nelsen Funeral Home on Thursday, April 2, at 12:00 noon, followed by a procession to Cedar Grove Cemetery, 809 S Henry Street, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185.

Those interested in making donations in his name, The Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, The National Park Foundation, and The Williamsburg Volunteer Fire Department are all organizations that were meaningful to him.