David Robert Hammack

On Friday, October 21, 2022 David Robert Hammack of Alabaster - loving husband, father, and grandfather- passed away at the age of 65. He had battled many illnesses for years and had the roughest go of it the past six months. He can breathe and rest easy now.

Visitation will be at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home on Saturday, October 29, 2022 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by A Service of Remembrance at 1 p.m. at the funeral home, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, AL 35124. Burial will be at Southern Heritage Cemetery, Pelham.

David was born in Selma, Alabama and raised in Birmingham in the Forestdale community. His favorite childhood memories were visiting his grandparents, Sherman and Alice Webster at their farm in Eldridge, Alabama especially when his cousins, Bill, Roddy, and Steve Webster were also visiting from Tanner. David was a 1975 graduate of Minor High School.

David served in the 1st Infantry Division (Big Red One) of the U.S. Army at Fort Riley, Kansas. From 1985-88, he was a Bradley Fighting Vehicle driver specializing in anti-tank TOW Missile Systems. He was also a marksman with a grenade launcher. He finished his tour of duty with the rank of Corporal and moved back to Birmingham.

Before and after military service, he was employed with the American Cast Iron and Pipe Company for 40 years. He worked many departments there before retiring in 2015 as a shipper. He was also licensed as a private pilot.

In his spare time, David had a fondness for taking care of the local wildlife. Over the years he fed and was entertained by dozens of cats (both owned and stray), his dogs, raccoons, possums, squirrels, chipmunks, birds, and any other creature lucky enough to wander onto his property. He also had an attraction to taking the road less traveled, even if that meant making a fifteen minute drive take one and a half hours. Getting from point A to point B was always far more interesting for him when exploring the dirt road to point Q became an option. He was an explorer by nature who was more into the drive than the destination.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Bonnie Burns Hammack; his son Sean; grandchildren Colton, Fenix, and Maverick; his brothers, Stan Hammack (Brenda) and Dennis Hammack; and sister, Lisa Hammack. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kara Hammack; parents, Dorothy and Robert Hammack; and his dogs, Jake, Maggie, and Leo Hammack.

“Revel in your time.” -E.T., B.R.

“..what peace is there to be made in the last minutes of the last day that will mark the before and after of your life until then, the day that will change everything for both of you, the living and the dead?” -E.B., B.F.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at David Robert Hammack's special memorial page at www.SouthernHeritageFunerals.com for his family.