Randy Lee Hammond
April 26, 2017

Randy Lee Hammond, 70, of Streamwood, IL was called home to Jesus on the morning of April 26, 2017 after a fifteen year battle with cancer and congestive heart failure. He died peacefully at home, in the arms of his beloved wife Jackie, with family at his side.

He was born on December 16, 1946 in Battle Creek, Michigan to the late LeRoy Wallace and Laura E. (Kinnison) Hammond. He attended school in Battle Creek, MI, graduating from Lakeview High School in 1965. While at Lakeview Randy was involved in many activities, including the varsity wrestling team for all 4 years. He received an appointment to attend West Point after high school but was unable to attend due to a health issue related to wrestling. Randy attended Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek for two years, and then went to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where he received his bachelor of science degree in Industrial Engineering from the College of Engineering in 1970 and his MBA from the School of Business in 1972. At the University of Michigan Randy joined the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and developed a love of University of Michigan football, becoming a season ticket holder for more than 30 years.

Randy was always known for his adventures throughout his life. One of his most interesting adventures was when he attended Woodstock in 1969, a 3 day music festival that helped to develop his love of music, a love he shared deeply with his daughter Laura.

After college, Randy moved to the Chicago area where he married Shannon (Halloran) Holmes and began raising their two kids Andrew and Laura. He worked in a variety of jobs that allowed him to use his industrial engineering and business school skills and knowledge. He began work at Rose Packing. From there he moved on to careers at Libby's, Dean Foods, Beatrice Foods, Helene Curtis, and GBC/Quartet. Randy maintained a successful career while also being actively involved in his kid's activities such as Indian Princesses and little league baseball.

Randy was a devoted and hardworking employee for thirty years before being diagnosed with stage 4 non-hodgkins lymphoma in 2002. He retired soon after this diagnosis to focus on his treatment. Amazingly, Randy beat this cancer and the congestive heart failure that soon followed. After beating these diseases Randy enjoyed visiting Tuscon, AZ, where his sister Linda also lived during the winter, and San Clemente, CA, where his good friend and former roommate Craig Gallagher lived. He also went on a pilgrimage to Israel.

After retirement, Randy continued to live in the Chicago area. In 1995 he began attending Willow Creek Community Church following his divorce and was an active member of their church community. In retirement Randy became even more involved and came to be known as a Willow "legend." He spent countless hours volunteering with various programs at the church, including the cancer support group, singles ministry, and global leadership summit. Randy also volunteered his time to other organizations such as the Salvation Army and Phil's Friends. He tirelessly aimed to help every cancer patient he met face the disease and access support. While attending Willow, Randy focused on growing his own faith as well as helping others develop theirs. He became a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ and used his many spiritual gifts to bring others to Jesus.

Randy's adventures continued in 2014 as he was faced with multiple health issues that he fought tirelessly to overcome. He was diagnosed with type II diabetes which he was able to manage. In early 2015, he was diagnosed with lung cancer which he beat after undergoing surgery to remove part of his lung. Later that year he was diagnosed with bladder cancer and then liver cancer followed in 2016. While doing his best to beat each disease, the toll it took on his body and heart proved to be just too much for him to overcome. Even as these diseases took their toll on his body. Randy continued to be actively involved at Willow and in the cancer support group, offering support and love to whomever needed it.

Randy's one final adventure was reuniting with a former Lakeview classmate, Jackie Trato, in 2015 at their 50th class reunion. Their relationship developed quickly in 2016 and they were married on September 24, 2016. The joy and love they shared is an inspiration for all.

Randy leaves his beloved wife Jackie; his son Andrew (Hilary) Hammond of Appleton, WI; daughter Laura (Bob) Hull of Cary, IL; and his grandchildren Alexander and Evelyn Hammond and Bobby and Harrison Hull. He also leaves behind his sister, Linda (Bill) Phelps of Battle Creek; half-sister Cheryl Bierlien of Frankenmuth, MI, and two half-brothers, Mark (Diane) Hammond of Chesterfield, OH and Brian (Margo) Hammond of Saginaw, MI; and his step-mother, Helen Hammond of Saginaw.

Two memorial services will be held. The first will be held at First Wesleyan Church in Battle Creek, MI on May 6 at 1 PM. The second will be held at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, IL on May 19 at 12:30 PM. The service at Willow will be held in the Chapel (Building B). Memorial donations in Randy's memory can be made to any of the following organizations:

Willow Creek Community Church, 67 East Algonquin Road, South Barrington, IL, 60010

Phil's Friends, National Headquarters, 1350 Lake Street, Suite 1, Roselle, IL, 60172-3370

JourneyCare Foundation, 2050 Claire Court, Glenview, IL  60025 (Randy's Hospice provider)

Thanks to Jackie Trato Hammond for memorial contributions.