James Virgil Hammett, Jr.

James Virgil Hammett Jr. of Lampasas, Texas, passed away on December 31, 2023, at age 81.  Born to Mary Frances Casbeer Hammett and James Virgil Hammett on August 18, 1942, Jimmy grew up in Lampasas, spending time with his friends, siblings, and cousins riding horses, hunting rattlesnakes, and working on the ranch.  As a member of the Class of 1960 at Lampasas High School, Jimmy was captain and quarterback of the football team.  At halftime, he grabbed his trumpet to march with the band.

 

Jimmy went on to the University of Texas, where he pledged Delta Tau Delta fraternity and made lifelong friends.  He graduated from UT School of Law in 1966 and became a highly regarded oil and gas litigator.  As a young lawyer, he clerked at the Texas Supreme Court.  He also was proud to work with his father at the law office in Lampasas.  He then moved to Austin to join the firm Stubbeman, McRae, Sealy, Laughlin, and Browder.  In 1983, he became managing partner of the firm's Houston office.  His legal career in Houston also included stints at Butler & Binion (1985) and Scott, Douglas & Luton (1988).  During these years, he also worked tirelessly with the federal government to bring to justice some of the bad actors in that era's savings and loan crisis.

 

Jimmy's accomplishments as a lawyer matched his skills in the kitchen.  He was a consummate chef, pancake maker, pitmaster, host, and the life of the party.  He loved books. golf, football, dogs, and history.  He was a cherished father, grandfather, brother, companion, and trusted friend to many.  Steadfast guidance, strong character, wisdom, humor, and a love of life and a good time were his hallmarks.  He will be very deeply missed.

 

Jimmy was preceded in death by his wife, Deborah Allen Hammett.  He is survived by his longtime companion, Candace Templet; his brother, Richard Hammett; his sister, Susan Browder and her husband, Bill Browder; his daughters from his first marriage, Holly Hammett Norman (husband Lee Norman) and Mary Hammett Stevenson (husband Malcolm Stevenson); his stepson, Allan Charles Wright, Jr.; and grandchildren, Jack, Lily, James, Van, Deva, Gia, and Violette.

 

Memorial services will be held at St. Mary's Episcopal Church on Sunday, January 7, 2024 at 12 pm.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Library Foundation of Lampasas, Texas, 201 South Main Street, Lampasas, Texas, 76550.