Arvel Gene Hammack

Arvel Gene Hammack, 83, a lifelong Fort Gibson resident was born March 1, 1933, in Okay, OK to Blake and Veda (Buckmaster) Hammack and entered Heaven’s gates on Friday, July 22, 2016 in Tulsa, OK. Arvel grew up in Fort Gibson where he attended school. He joined the National Guard and was mobilized into the United States Army in 1950 where he served at a Combat Veteran during the Korean War in the 45th Division. Arvel was very proud to have left his footprints in Korea, on Pork Chop Hill, Old Baldy and T-Bone Hill. Cpl Arvel Gene Hammack received an honorable discharge on July 4, 1952. Arvel began a career as a machinist and worked for Corning Glass for 29 years until it closed. He later opened his own machine shop in Fort Gibson. Arvel met and later married the love of his life and his best friend Joyce Crittenden on August 9, 1957 in Fort Gibson, a marriage that stood the test of time of 58 years, 11 months and 13 days. Arvel was a past member of the Masons, Shriners and Gideons. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, boy scout leader and a faithful member of Fort Gibson First Freewill Baptist Church. He was a zealous Oklahoma Sooner football fan beginning back in the 1950’s. Arvel was also a huge Fort Gibson basketball and football fan, rarely missing a game. He was a volunteer fireman for Fort Gibson and served for a time as Fire Chief. He was also a member of American Legion Post 20, Fort Gibson for many years. Arvel was preceded in death by his parents, daughter-in-law, Robin Hammack; brother, James Hammack; and sister, Lorene Taylor. Those left to cherish Arvel’s memory are his wife, Joyce of the home; sons, Brad Hammack and wife Vicki of Muskogee, OK, Bret Hammack and wife Renita of Fort Gibson, OK, grandkids, Blake and Hanna Hammack and Eric Hanson; sister, Irene Flickinger of Wichita, KS, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. A visitation will be held Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home with the family receiving friends 5PM-7PM. A celebration of Arvel’s life will be held 9:30AM, Wednesday, July 27, 2016 in the Fort Gibson First Free Will Baptist Church with Pastors Tommy Honeycutt and Tim Landers officiating. Committal prayers and interment will follow at Fort Gibson National Cemetery with Tim Smith, Jerry Walker, Larry Dale Cooper, Steve White, Lyndell Handley, Doug Burt and Larry Norman serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Robert Atchley and Corning Glass retirees. In lieu of flowers the family request donations in Arvel’s name to Gideons International at gideons.org or PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800. The Family of Arvel Gene Hammack has entrusted his services and burial to Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home and Cremation Service 1224 East Poplar/PO Box 1973 Fort Gibson, OK 918-478-2555. Online condolences may be left at clifforddgarrettfamilyfh.com

Arvel Gene Hammack

March 1, 1933 - July 22, 2016