OBITUARY
Maurice Howard Hammack
July 1, 1932 – February 13, 2021
Maurice Howard Hammack, 88, of Bassett, died on Saturday, February 13, 2021. He was born in Woodbine, Iowa on July 1, 1932, a son of Calvin Howard Hammack and Alice Mae Smith Hammack. He married Betty Rosalie Worden on November 5, 1950. He served in the USAF for 20 years obtaining the rank of Captain.
The Hammacks moved to Bassett in 1969 when Maurice was hired as the first corporate pilot for Bassett Furniture Industries. Flying was his passion for more than 60 years. In younger years he was an avid water skier, sportsman, and motorcycle rider. In 1951, he rode a single speed bicycle 177 miles in 24 hours in England. He kept hundreds of his military buddies in contact with other by researching public records. Friends remember his faithful phone calls over many decades.
He is survived by his wife Betty; his children Vicki Merritt (Grady) of Lexington, SC, Terry (Sue) of Henrico, VA, Jonathan (Debbie) of Binghamton, NY, Matthew (Sarah) of Manassas, VA, and Lyndee Breeding (Greg) of North Garden, VA. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
A private service will be held. Online condolences can be made at www.collinsmckeestonebassett.com. Memorials can be made to First Baptist Church of Bassett, 2590 Riverside Dr., PO Box 557, Bassett, VA 24055.
Collins Funeral Home at Bassett, Virginia is respectfully serving the Hammack Family.
Services
No public services are scheduled at this time. Receive a notification when services are updated.
Memories
Maurice Howard Hammack
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYBarbara Villalpando
February 25, 2021
Maurice, I will never forget you! you called many times making my day, we sang each other Happy Birthday, just talked of various things, wife, your children & life.
At the reunions always asking if you could come to the room to see my dogs Gabbie & Jarek. Sometimes I would let them run down the hall to you and watch your excitement . Even at 80+ you were full of life.
You helped a many of people find others.
No matter what you stayed a Good friend.
Love & miss you my friend ~ I know God has called home another Angel to watch over your family & others
Brian Carpenter
February 17, 2021
I'm a truck driver for Old Dominion Freight Lines out of Greensboro North Carolina and also a pilot. I got you know Mr Hammack thru his neighbor Tim Vaught. We would talk to him each evening on the telephone. We listened to his stories and I came to have much respect for him. It was a pleasure always to talk to him. I looked forward to his conversations. I will miss him much!
Linda Richardson
February 17, 2021
I remember Maurice and his Family from my teen years. Our Families went to church together at First Baptist Church in Bassett. Maurice took alot of us on our first airplane ride including my Father, Floyd Flippen.
So sorry for your loss. Praying for all the Family.
Douglas Ramsey
February 16, 2021
I thought so much of Maurice and would get to see him when I came to First Bassett to fill in for Lew or just come to worship. He was a faithful Christian and fine gentleman. He and I would pick at each other. I enjoyed hearing some of his "flying stories". My last conversation was a couple of weeks ago when he called after hearing of his Pastor's passing. He was very sad and heartbroken as we all were. We had a great conversation that I will always remember. My condolences and prayers to the family. First Bassett has lost two great leaders. Doug Ramsey
Phillip Vernon
February 16, 2021
Maurice I met him in 1974 when he had me haired as Bassett’s first Co-Pilot Mechanic. After I left Bassett we keep in contact over the years. When I was flying for Morris Air of Salt Lake. He called to let me know one of our Pilots Dad flew with him in AF. He will be missed.
Phillip Vernon
Melodie Craig
February 15, 2021
Our prayers go out to Maurice's family. I enjoyed getting to know Maurice at First Baptist. He always liked to pick around. He was very kind as is his wife, Betty. He will be greatly missed.
Gordon Schiefelbein
February 15, 2021
Mo was the rock that held the 57D OCS alumni group together. Always there. It was a great pleasure serving with him in OCS and the many reunions. Barbara and I send our most sincere condolences to Betty and the family.
Mildred Basconi
February 15, 2021
So sorry for your loss!
Norine Buffkin
February 15, 2021
My prayers and deepest sympathy to Betty and extended family in the loss of Maurice. Your loss is Heaven’s gain. Maurice was my late husband, Arthur’s, Relief Driver for Piedmont Bank, driving to Roanoke on a daily run. He and Arthur were always kidding and joking with each other. He will be missed by his family and members of First Baptist Church where he and Betty were faithful members, in fact Maurice and Betty occupied the pew in front of me. May God fill the void you feel with his great love and peace at this time and the days going forward! Love, Norine Buffkin
Darlene Earles
February 15, 2021
I met Maurice in 1979 when I came to work at the Bassett Main Office. He came into the room and introduced himself and started our friendship. Many memories of him
He was a very kind and caring person. I know he will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Jana Branscome
February 15, 2021
Maurice was a good friend to my father. He took me on my first plane ride in a small 4 passenger plane over Henry County. I have never forgotten how he pried my fingers loose from the door handle. He told me to just breath and started pointing out things on the ground. He left a great legacy behind in his children whom I admire greatly. Your family influenced me SO much to follow the Lord and to be involved in foreign missions. I wish I could see you all, but I will pray for God to bring comfort and peace. You are greatly loved. Jana Marshall Branscome
Rob & Patsy Roloff
February 15, 2021
Memories with the entire Hammack family. Love and prayers during this time of loss of Maurice. Treasure your memories. Hugs!
Tim Vaught
February 15, 2021
Betty and to all his family , Maurice was special to us all he would always call and sing to Kathy on her birthday. He would always call me while I was on the road to keep me company and to keep up with the weather I was going to run into he always thought of me and my family . He was a very special person . We will miss him dearly. Betty we love you and we will be here for you in the future. Our hearts are heavy but full of love for your family . God has definitely gained a special angel that already had wings .
DAVID AGNIEL
February 15, 2021
Maurice and I were graduates of the US Air force Officers Candidate Class of 1957. His surviving classmates will always remember "Mo" as the inspiring leader of calisthenics classes where he was well known for his one armed push- ups that put us "mere mortals" to shame. I will never forget his tales later on after our retirement about his 177 mile, 24 hour bike ride in Europe and the singular feat of visiting the Eiffel Tower after closing and only having one night in Paris before having to return to Burtonwood AF Base in England. Somehow, he was able to elude the guards and climb the outer tower structure, all the way to the top and view the city before descending undetected, climb over the fence and return to England having completed what must have been a compelling bucket list adventure. We will all miss him dearly but are comforted knowing he is safe in the arms of the Lord and free to fly without restrictions to the very edges of the universe. Farewell old friend, and our condolences to his loving family.
Lisa Whitacre
February 15, 2021
Dear Hammack Family
Our LM team and partners were very saddened to hear of the loss of Matt's Father and wanted to express our sincere sympathies. While the loss of a loved one is never easy to accept, I hope that the support of your family, as well as your friends at Lockheed Martin, will help to ease your sorrow during this very difficult time.
Lisa Whitacre
Aldon Ferguson
February 15, 2021
Maurice (Mo to us) has been a member of the RAF Burtonwood Association for many years and was a valued Board Member for the last several years acting as recruiter and pulling together old friends who served at Burtonwood in England. Together with Betty and Vicki, he was an integral part of our reunions in both the USA and UK and fully committed to supporting the Association and helping it grow and be known internationally.
He was an inspiration and will be sorely missed.
Iris Simpson
February 15, 2021
Maurice was a gentleman and always had time to put anyone he met at their ease.
Maurice sometimes phoned us here in England for a chat and a joke.
My husband Gordon and I attended the US Reunions from 2000 until 2019 and travelled with our dear friends Jim & May Bentley in their car and as we travelled often Jim's "blue tooth" would ring and it would be Maurice.
Their was one occassion when we had stopped off at Key West and Maurice phoned while we were queuing to go on a "glass Bottom Boat" trip and Gordon said to Maurice "I wonder if you could find a friend of mine from the States of Jersey, Channel Isles who now lives in Naples USA". Within 1/2 hour Maurice phoned back to tell Gordon he had located him and gave us his address. How clever was that we were so impressed.
A very special friend who will be sadly missed.
Love to Betty as well whose company we also enjoyed on many occassions.
Iris Simpson (England)
Linda Conner
February 14, 2021
I am going to miss my sweet friend. He always had a smile and a handshake. He was truly a blessing to the ministry at First Baptist Bassett. My sincere condolences to all the family. Cherish the memories.
In Christian Love,
Linda Conner