James Thomas Hammond Jr., age 85, of Donaldson, surrounded by loving friends and family, entered Heaven's gates on May 22nd, 2025. He lived in Hot Springs at the time of his death, but Donaldson was his home. He was born on November 29, 1939, to James Thomas Hamond Sr and Leona Tarkington Hammond.

Thomas was a member of Donaldson Missionary Baptist Church. He served his country in the United States Navy for three years. He also served his community by sitting on the Ouachita Cemetery Board and the rural fire department board. He retired from Alcoa and later from the Hot Spring County Water Association. He also enjoyed working as a "handy man" and as a school bus driver. Thomas enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and sharing his bounty with friends. He loved following the Arkansas Razorbacks in all sports and the Ouachita High School baseball, basketball, and softball teams.

Thomas is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sandra Sampson Hammond; sons, Scott Hammond and Shane Hammond; daughter Kathy Farmer; and grandchildren, Austin Hammond, Blake Hammond, and Abigail Hammond.

Those left to cherish his memory; loving wife, Suzanne Ward Hammond; step-daughter, Catherine Cerri-Montilla (Mario); a very special cousin, Lorraine Swinnea; grandchildren, Alyssa Hicks-Hammond, Jessi Douskurt, Kayla Moore (Steven), Leslie Draper, Matthew Hammond, Daniel Hammond, Greg Margraf, and Thomas Cerri-Montilla; sisters in-law, Debra Puckett (Don) and Olga Ward; brothers in-law, Bill Ward (Martha) and John Ward (Dani); and numerous nieces and nephews who loved Thomas (or as many of them would call him Tom Cat) very much.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 27th, at 10:30am, at Donaldson Missionary Baptist Church, with the funeral service starting at 11:30am, with Bro. Keith Rowton and Bro. Ronnie Hardin officiating. Burial to follow at Ouachita Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Travis Puckett, Jason Madsen, Bill Ward, Bret Lowery, Dusty Ward, Mike Catlett, and Paul McDade. Honorary Pallbearers are Marvin McDaniel, Marvin McDade, Arvin Shuffield, Leon Burris, Raymond Schultz, Fred Swinnea and John Ward.

The family would like to give special thanks to Thomas' caregiver Linda Evans for providing exceptional and loving care, and Arkansas Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Rock Steady Boxing exercise program for Parkinson's patients at First Baptist Church of Hot Springs. (2350 Central Ave Hot Springs, AR 71901)