Delwin Travis Hammons

Delwin Travis Hammons, 94, died peacefully on September 18, 2014. "Del" was born October 12, 1919 to Jack K. Hammons and Mattie Ann Hammons. He was predeceased by his siblings Erma Edmiston, Tate B. Hammons, Eunice Holtzclaw, Leon C. Hammons, Iva Mae Hammons, and Mary C. Brooks. Del attended Louisiana Tech on a football scholarship. His attendance was interrupted when he was drafted into the army after his junior year in July, 1941. He trained at several sites throughout the southeast and was selected to be among the first group of elite soldiers known as the Rangers. Prior to being shipped overseas he married his college sweetheart on June 17, 1944. He participated in the D-Day attack at Normandy Beach and later in the Battle of the Bulge. After serving in Europe, Del returned home and completed his education at Louisiana Tech. After graduation he applied for a job with the US Public Health Service. Shortly thereafter he was told he would be a good candidate for a job with the newly established CDC, then called the Communicable Disease Center and now known as the Center for Disease Control. He eventually served as Director of CDC Activities for the Southeastern Office of the Public Health Service. He retired in 1979 and remained active by participating in the Atlanta chapter of NARFE (The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association), eventually serving as President. Del is survived by his children: Dane Marshall, DeeDee Freeman (Mike) and Jack Bixler Hammons (Nicola); his grandchildren: Melanie Stewart (Todd), Melissa Sanacore (Frank), Lindsay Greenwood (Jay), "Buck" Freeman (Elizabeth), Brent Freeman (Erica) and Amanda Hammons; and, his great-grandchildren: Zachary Stewart, Samantha Stewart, Brandon Stewart, Sofia Sanacore, Gabriela Sanacore, Bryce Greenwood, Lyla Belle Greenwood, and Sumner Greenwood. Burial will be at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, September 23. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to either the American Cancer Society or the American Diabetes Association. Byars Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Cumming, Georgia.