Duane Randall Hammon, 92, passed away peacefully at his home on January 19, 2022 in Great Bend, Kansas. He was born on April 1, 1929 in Lynch, Nebraska, to Frank Eugene & Eliza (Wellman) Hammon.  He grew up in Lynch with his 14 brothers and sisters, and worked on the family’s farm.  He met Mary Ann Stevenson while she was working in Spencer, Nebraska, and the two began dating.  He courageously served with the Marines during the Korean War, for which he received the Commendation Ribbon with Combat “V”.  He was known for entertaining his platoon with his guitar playing, and he served as the barber for his unit with his haircutting skills.  He returned home, and Duane and Mary married in South Dakota on March 20, 1953.   They went on to have two children, Larry and Debra.

In his early years, Duane enjoyed spending time taking road trips with friends on his motorcycle as part of the Ponca Valley Motorcycle Club.   He spent a short time farming, and then worked various jobs in construction and heavy equipment for much of his working life.  Duane and Mary settled in Salina during their children’s high school years and eventually began welcoming grandchildren as Larry and Debra married and started their own families.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and spent much of his time during his older years serving as a babysitter and chauffer to his grandchildren after they settled in Great Bend.  He continued to enjoy visits from his great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews as his family continued to grow through the years.

Survivors include one brother, Donald, of Parma, Idaho; his daughter, Debra Thompson and husband David, of Great Bend; four grandchildren, Mindi Beahm (David), Travis Thompson (Andrea), Dustin Thompson (Angela) and Lance Hammon; and six great-grandchildren, Bennett, Thompson, and Emerson Beahm; Emma and Tristan Thompson; and Kyrah Schnoebelen and Kaylee Thompson.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; his son, Larry Hammon; his parents; and thirteen brothers and sisters. 

Visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 3, 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home with the family receiving guests from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.  Funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 4, 2022, at Trinity United Methodist Church with Reverend Chris Lehew presiding. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery North. Memorials can be made to the Duane R. Hammon Expense Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS 67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Jan. 30, 2022