A Memorial Service with Military Honors will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Stevensville United Methodist Church with visitation beginning one hour prior to the service. Memorial donations in Gary's memory may be made to Caring Circle of Hospice or the charity of your choice. Those wishing to share a memory or leave an online message for the family may do so at www.duffieldpastrick.com.

Gary was born on June 25, 1948 in Benton Harbor to Harold and Virginia (Dukeshere) Hammond. During the Vietnam War he proudly served his country in the United States Army. He and his wife Jackie were married on Oct. 31, 1981 and were about to celebrate 37 years together next month. Prior to his retirement in 2002 Gary had owned and operated both Parkside Standard and Parkside Auto Parts in Coloma. His hobbies included drag racing, camping and fishing and he was also a member of the Corvette Coventry of Southwest Michigan. Family was important to Gary and his grandchildren held a special place in his heart.

Gary is survived by his wife Jackie; six children, Todd (Jodi) Hammond of Coloma, Chad Hammond of Benton Harbor, Chuck (Mary) Duncan of Weston, Fla., Chris Draper of Coloma, Julie (Sonny) Taylor of Franklin, N.C. and Jeff Duncan of Fruitland Park, Fla.; his three sisters, Sharon Krietner of Coloma, Dianne Little of Ocala, Fla. and Marsha Hammond of Coloma; five grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.