|
Local attorney and recently elected district attorney for Pottawatomie and Lincoln counties, David Marshall Hammer died suddenly Sunday, July 3, 2022 in Shawnee at age 47.
Just five days before his death he succeeded in winning the district attorney position in a three-way primary race earning 58.2% of the votes.
He was born in Oklahoma City on August 1, 1974 to Ann Elizabeth Spencer and Roy Marshall Hammer. Raised in Shawnee, Hammer attended Shawnee Public Schools graduating in 1992. He then attended Oklahoma Baptist University for two years before earning his business management and undergraduate degree from the University of Phoenix.
He started his work career with Jones Theatres at age 16 at the Cinema Centre 8. A few months later he introduced his single mother to theatre owner Ronny Jones. They were married in 1993. He later advanced to management positions with the family business and continued his participation until his death.
While continuing with the theatres, he also began a career as a police officer for the City of Tecumseh in 1995. He was named Officer of the Year in 1997.
Hammer shifted from law enforcement into the private sector, using his business expertise to manage and operate successful security and maintenance companies. He then pursued a law degree at Oklahoma City University School of Law, graduating in 2014.
He served as an Assistant District Attorney in Shawnee from 2016 to 2018 before returning to his private law practice. Hammer has conducted most of his caseload through the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System (OIDS) as a defense attorney.
A sharp sense of humor made him the center of conversation with his friends and family. He is fondly remembered by those who loved him for his unfailing love of anything Star Trek, the Golden Girls and Rotel cheese dip.
He married Malania Michelle Stafford on February 14, 2000. In 2011 he married Sheli Rae Riley.
Survivors include his parents Ann and Ronny Jones; five children (ages 13-21) Michael Hammer, Connor Hammer, Garrett Hammer, Devin Hammer and Samantha Hammer, all of Shawnee. His children were the center of his life.
Also surviving are half-sisters Sheryl Sordahl and Sharon Miller of Mustang and a half-brother Leroy Buddy Hammer of Midwest City; and aunt and uncle Molly Boland and David Johnson of Tecumseh.
He was preceded in death by his biological father Roy Marshall Hammer, maternal grandparents Patsy Ruth and J.O. (Buck) Spencer and paternal grandparents Roy and Mildred Hammer.
Hammer was an organ donor with Life Share Oklahoma.
Viewing will be from 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, July 7, 2022 and from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, July 8, 2022 at Cooper Funeral Home. Services will be Saturday, July 9, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 501 N. Broadway in Shawnee. A brief reception in the All Saints Chapel at the church will follow. Graveside burial for those wishing to attend will be at Tecumseh Cemetery under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.
The family invite friends and co-workers past and present to join them in person at the church to celebrate David’s life. All others may join in celebrating his life through Emmanuel Episcopal Church’s You Tube Channel for live streaming of the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to any of the following charitable organizations:
Justin Terney Memorial
Tecumseh Police Foundation
Attn: J. R. Kidney
P.O. Box 912
Tecumseh, OK 74873
Project Safe
Domestic Violence Victims
P.O. Box 465
Shawnee, OK 74802
phone: 405-273-9953
Shawnee Police Foundation
Shawnee Police Department
912 East Independence
Shawnee, OK 74804
Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office Foundation
Attn: Scott Hawkins
P.O. Box 125
Shawnee, OK 74802
Lincoln County Law Enforcement Association
811 Manvel, Ste #14
Chandler, OK 74834
phone: 405-258-1191