Christopher Matthew Hammett

On December 5th, 2017, at 2:00 in the afternoon heaven gained an angel, Christopher Matthew Hammett.  Heaven will never be the same!!!  Chris was born on July 31st, 1981.  Only a week old Chris developed yellow jaundice and needed a complete blood transfusion.  At the time the doctor informed Chris’s parents that if they had waited one more day to take him to the hospital he would have suffered brain injury.  Fast forward 25 years and Chris is involved in a car accident and suffers a severe brain injury.  I sometimes feel Chris came full circle.  He lived a full wonderful life in those 25 years the Lord gave him. Chris was born under the sign of the lion, a Leo. He was fierce, charismatic, handsome, and intelligent.  He lived life on his own terms and he always gave 100%.  Anything less was just not acceptable.  Chris did exceptionally well in school and also in sports.  He was captain of the football team his freshman year in high school.  As he grew older we discovered he had a golden tongue.  Chris could talk about anything and convince you that he was right.  This skill would serve him well years later when he made the debate team at West Point.  While in high school Chris sold newspapers door to door and he actually was awarded a bond for selling the most papers.  He would never take no for an answer.  I actually believe he could have sold ice to an Eskimo. After graduating from high school, Chris surprised us all by deciding to enlist in the Military with his best friend Leon. In October 2000 Chris left home for basic training. His specialty was Military Intelligence and he was stationed in Germany for the next four years.  During this time our Nation was shaken by the attack on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the plane that was downed in Shanksville by Terrorists.  War in Iraq and Afghanistan was declared.  Chris answered the call and served in Iraq for 14 months.  He was honored to serve his Country and to help the citizens of Iraq. As his four years of service was drawing to an end Chris was nominated by his Commanding Officer to the United States Military Academy at West Point.  He was accepted and arrived on June 29, 2004 to start a new period in his life at West Point. West Point was a wonderful experience for Christopher.  He was on the Dean’s List throughout the years.  Chris loved helping his fellow classmates and sharing his military experiences with them.  He started his senior year in the summer of 2007.  As part of his training he was sent to Baltimore to serve an internship at Fort Meade.  This was to be the turning point of his life.  On July 1st, 2007 while coming back from the downtown area in Baltimore, Chris and another cadet were rear-ended in an automobile crash.  He suffered severe brain injuries.  The circle which has opened at his birth when he developed jaundice and nearly suffered a brain injury closed when he suffered these severe injuries to his brain.  We have traveled with him these past 10 years always praying that Chris would somehow survive and come out of this stronger and ready to continue his life.  After Chris’s accident a group was created “We Love You, Hammett”. This group was formed for friends who wished to keep Chris and his recovery in their thoughts and prayers.  Another group was also started on Caring Bridge by Chris’s Mom and Brother to keep friends and family updated on Chris’s recovery.  Sadly God had other plans and this was not to be.  I cling to the knowledge that Chris is now in Heaven in a wonderful place where he can once again excel in ways we cannot fathom.  He lived an amazing life and packed more into his years than most of us ever have the chance to. Chris is survived by his parents, Dad Paul Hammett; Mom Diane Davidson and her Husband David; Brothers Michael Hammett (Wife Lauren, Nephew Andrew) and Thomas Davidson, Sisters Amy Worthel (Husband Ben) and Bethany Davidson; Aunts:  Virginia Hammett Mercer (Husband Eddy),  Denise Chittum (Husband Ellwood), and Sherry Cutlip (Husband Mike).  Cousins:  Colleen Tibbs, Mark Stouten (Wife Lauren and Daughter Cali), Tara Mullhausen (Husband John, Daughters Alysa and Kendra), Kendra Pokorny (Son Kayden) Lauren Lewis (Husband Benny) Joseph Stouten, and Tiffany McDonald (Son Cayden) .  He was preceded in death by his Grandparents, Joseph and Eunice Strucko, Grandmother Joan Borkowski, Grandfather William Hammett;  Aunt Leslee Hammett, and his Godmother Carole Winterling. Services will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at Connelly Funeral Home in Dundalk, 7110 Sollers Point Road, from 3:00-5:00 and 7:00-9:00 with a religious service at 8:00 pm.  Internment will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers we would request donations to the Brain Injury Association of Maryland, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, or the Johns Hopkins Children Center.