Paul E. Hammar, age 78, passed away on February 27, 2021. He was born on April 17, 1942 to Roy and Addie. He is preceded by his parents; sisters Margie Boyer and Barbara Walker; and son Perry. Paul is survived by sons Roy (Kathy) and Justin (Stephanie); daughter Krista (Ron) Martin; sisters Joyce Geurian, Eileen Hammar; grandchildren Staci, Stephen, Andrew, Ryan, Nathan, Kyle and Tyler; great grandchild Cameron and numerous other family members.
Paul was born in Kansas City, MO. He came from a large, closely-knit Swedish family. On his mother's side, he was the oldest of 37 cousins, the children of his mother's 10 brothers and sisters. While his father was in the service, Paul’s family stayed at his grandparents’ farm in Clyde, KS. Later as a teenager, he helped his Uncle Ray follow the harvest from South Dakota to Texas. He was the oldest brother to four younger sisters who all adored him, but then realized later that he was completely spoiled. He attended elementary school at Kansas City Christian School, which was co-founded by his father. He started college at the University of Kansas and graduated from Cameron University with a degree in economics. During his time at KU, he was a Midshipman in the Navy Reserves. He was an avid bowler in college. He bowled for the KU team and eventually they won the NCAA tournament. His mother disapproved of the time spent in smoky bowling alleys, but once she watched him bowl, she became an avid bowler as well. He joined IBM in 1965 as a Systems Engineer where he sold early airline reservation systems. He then continued his career in hospitality software for nearly 30 more years which afforded him the opportunity to travel worldwide and live in England for a few years.
Paul bought his first Corvette at 21 and many more over the years. He was a private pilot and had great adventures with his family in the air in his Cessna (until a minor landing accident at Jabara grounded his fun). Along with bowling, he loved to snow ski, golf, and watch sports with his friends. He loved his annual Golf Dawgs trip for 25 years with his sons and closest friends. Most people knew him for his sense of humor, and he loved to pull a prank on the unsuspecting every chance he got. He had a generous heart and would always go out of his way to help his friends who came from all walks of life and every age. He lost his beloved son Perry at age 14, but was full of pride for his children, Roy, Justin and Krista. His 7 grandkids and recent great grandson were a joy for him in his retirement years.
Paul will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all the people whose lives he touched. Once you were a friend, you were a friend for life.
A service will be held at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Wichita, KS on May 1, 2021 at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the First Tee of Wichita, KS. https://www.firstteegreaterwichita.org
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