He also was county road foreman for a short time and served on the Garrard County Board of Education that consolidated the county's four high schools.
During a reception for Hammons in 1986 when he retired as county judge, he told the courtroom full of people at the Garrard County Courthouse that his political career started in that very room 24 years ago.
"... and I've enjoyed most of it. I know I have a lot more friends than I had 24 years ago," Hammons said.
Local attorney Caywood Metcalf, who was county attorney while Hammons was in office, was quoted as saying during the reception that Hammons was known as "the great grant collector" because of the numerous government grants he obtained for the county's benefit.
This morning, a more somber-toned Metcalf shared what he felt was the best way to describe his former friend and colleague.
"He was a good, honest fellow and sort of a near-miracle man as far as politics are concerned," Metcalf said. "He was a grassroots man who was elected to about every capacity that he sought - sheriff, school board member, county judge, a state road foreman. He was certainly well-liked, civic-minded and most of all he was a good administrator of public money."
Hammons, of Gooch Pike, Paint Lick, died at Fort Logan Hospital.
Born Feb. 14, 1920, in Garrard County, he was the son of the late Sol and Fannie Hignite Hammons. He was an Army veteran of World War II and a member of the American Legion and Good Hope Baptist Church. He was the widower of Virginia Hurte Hammons.
Survivors include a son, Bob Hammons of Paint Lick; a granddaughter; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Gary G. Hammons.
Services will be 1 p.m. Friday at Ramsey Funeral Home by the Revs. John Todd and Billy Pack. Burial will be in Paint Lick Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be David, Phillip and Mike Stevens, David Layton, Tom Sears and Jerome Isaacs.
Visitation will be 5-9 p.m. Thursday.
