Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Frank Joseph Hammel, Jr., 77, of The Dalles, passed away surrounded by family on July 10, 2015. He was born in The Dalles, Ore., on November 17, 1937, to Frank & Mildred Hammel.
Frank grew up in The Dalles on the family wheat and cattle ranch. He graduated from The Dalles High School before attending Oregon State University, where he received a degree in General Agriculture. He went to work for the US Department of Agriculture as an Agriculture Statistician out of the Washington State office. He thoroughly enjoyed his career and retired after 34 years of service. After retiring, he returned to The Dalles to be closer to family, friends and the family ranch. His enjoyment of his career continued as he volunteered to write the local weekly crop weather report for Wasco County.
He enjoyed spending time with family, attending local sporting events, volunteering his services at Dry Hollow Elementary, and playing the sidewalk supervisor to the city water department and PUD employees while they performed construction work around the neighborhood. He and his great granddaughter Tanna were best friends, having spent countless hours playing everything from soccer to hide and go seek.
Frank is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Dan & Kim Hammel of The Dalles; his sister and long time friend, Ellene Jones and Dinah Pflugrad of Eugene; his brother and sister-in-law, Bill & Barbara Hammel of The Dalles. Surviving grandchildren include: Samantha Hammel, Amanda Haudenshild, Maverick Mangold, Kailen and Tessa McReynolds; great-grandchildren: Tanna, Lydia, Tasia, Alden and Anikah; niece and nephews: Tracy, Jay and Barry.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Barbara Ann Hammel; nephew, Brian Hammel; and grandson, Alex Hammel.
A memorial service honoring his life will be scheduled at a later time.
Donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association in his memory.
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