Kenneth Wayne Hammond

Kenneth Wayne Hammond, 83, lovingly known as Kenny, passed away June 22, 2025, surrounded by family and friends at his home outside of West Columbia, Texas.

Raised in East Columbia, Texas, Kenny was a true cowboy, tending to his family’s horses and cattle from an early age. After graduating from Columbia High School, he enlisted in the army. Upon completing his service, Kenny graduated from Sam Houston State Teachers College with a bachelor's degree in agriculture. He began his professional journey in the food and safety industry, visiting and inspecting restaurants all over Mexico and the Southwestern United States. It was then that his love and admiration for Native American and Tejano art was born.

Collecting cowhides, saddles, and pottery, Kenny took pride in his interior. At 40, Kenny hung his cowboy hat high and moved back home, purchasing a river house on the San Bernard. He became Vice President at First Capitol Bank, where he worked for years alongside his sister, Sandy. Customers remember Kenny for his beaming smile and witty sense of humor. After his retirement, Kenny and his sister, Kathleen, moved to Kerrville, Texas, the heart of the Texas Hill Country. There, he bartered and traded with local artists and shop owners, curating paintings for his dream loft. Longing to be closer to family, Kenny returned home, where he spent the final years of his life.

Kenny is preceded in death by his parents, Garland and Mary Jo; sister, Sandy and husband, Butch. Left to share his memory are his sister, Kathleen; nephew, Kevin and wife, Tracy; niece, Angie and husband, Wade; great nephews and nieces, Travis, Kelly, Sydney, Carson, and Abbie; great-great nephews and niece, Kayson, Jhett, and Bowen.

Serving as pallbearers are Josh Curtis, Travis Griffin, Carlos Leyva, Wade Ohlen, Jeff Schlitzkus, and Kevin Wallace. Honorary and posthumous pallbearers are Vernon Harris, David Lubojacky, and Teresa Vargas.

Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing on Saturday July 19th from 12-2 p.m. at C.T. Baker Funeral Home 634 S. Columbia Dr. West Columbia. His funeral service will begin at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment to follow at Cedar Lawn Haven of Rest Cemetery, 1020 Sinclair St., West Columbia.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.ctbakerfuneral.com