Harold Royce Hammer

Harold Royce Hammer, 85, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, peacefully in his sleep on September 11, 2026.

Harold was born on August 2, 1941, in Henderson County, Texas. He attended Mabank High School and went on to live a life marked by family, hard work, perseverance, and an unmistakable sense of humor. He was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, proud veteran, and successful entrepreneur whose determination and strength left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him (“for better or worse” he once quipped).

Harold married the love of his life, Nancy Jane Woolverton, on June 3, 1959. Together, they shared 67 years of marriage. Harold loved Nancy fiercely and remained devoted to her through every season of their life together. Through the joys, hardships, changes, and ordinary days that make up a lifetime, they remained committed to one another and to the family they built side by side.

Harold served his country in the United States Army. He entered active duty in November 1959 and completed his training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, before being stationed in Germany, where he served with the 317th Engineer Battalion. As a member of the battalion’s Headquarters Company in Hoechst, Germany, Harold was promoted to the rank of Specialist Five in 1962. He completed active duty in November 1962 and remained in the Army Reserve until October 1965, completing his service honorably.

After completing his military service, Harold earned his real estate license and spent several years working for Tecon Corporation while working toward his real estate broker's license. In the early 1970s, Harold started his own corporation, which spanned five decades. During his career, he completed numerous land developments throughout Texas. He also worked as a permit agent for several seismic companies and served as Henderson County Commissioner for Precinct 2.

Harold was known for his work ethic. Sitting still was not in his nature, and he always seemed to have a project underway or another idea in mind. Harold had the ability to talk to anyone and seemingly sell just about anything. Above all else, Harold loved his family. As a father to three boys, Royce, Todd & Brad, Harold taught his sons the value of hard work, the importance of going to church, family, and the courage to stand up for the people and principles they believed in. Through it all, Harold believed deeply in his sons and was incredibly proud of each of them.

Harold had a personality that was entirely his own. He was quick-witted, loved creating nicknames for everyone he met, and maintained his mischievous sense of humor through the years. He was independent, famously stubborn, and never one to back down easily. He knew what he believed and was not afraid to stand his ground - "right or wrong," as he once jokingly put it.

At the same time, Harold was someone his family could depend on. He was an avid reader, a good listener, a loyal supporter, and a steady source of encouragement when life became difficult. Harold loved spending time outdoors, operating equipment, tending his garden, fishing, playing 42 dominoes, and cheering on the Dallas Cowboys.

Most importantly, Harold had accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. His family takes great comfort in the assurance that he was saved through his faith in Christ and is now spending eternity with Jesus. While they grieve his absence here, they do so with the peace of knowing where he is and the hope of seeing him again.

Harold is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Nancy Jane Hammer; his sons, Royce Hammer and wife Jeanne Hammer; Brad Hammer and wife Vickie Hammer; his sister, Joyce Salter; his grandchildren, Chad Hammer, Coy Hammer, Cassidy Hammer, and Madison Hurst; his great-granddaughter, Zoie Hammer; and many other family members and friends who loved him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde Cecil Hammer and Willie Iva Chitty Hammer; his son, Michael Todd Hammer; his granddaughter, Laci Hammer; his brothers, Willie Cecil Hammer and Johnny Clyde Hammer; and his sister, Alene Sciba.

Harold Royce Hammer leaves behind a legacy of hard work, perseverance, laughter, strength, and unwavering devotion to his family. He spent his life working to provide for those he loved and teaching by example the values of grit, loyalty, and never giving up. Those lessons will live on through the family he leaves behind for generations to come.