Benny "Penny" M. Hammer passed away at home, with family, on January 10th, 2023, a week after celebrating birthday number 77.

Benny was born in Wewoka, Oklahoma in 1946. After a brief period in California, he returned to Oklahoma and in 1961 he graduated from Seminole High School. He stayed in close and regular contact with two of his best friends from high school (Charles and Bobby). He served in the military and worked at Tinker AFB for 31 years until his retirement.

Going out dancing is how he met his sweetheart, Rikkie. Benny found himself stepping into the role of a father in the lives of Rikkies children. First he helped her youngest (Joseph and Esther) through high school; the homework, the proms, first cars, and weekly "What-A-Burger Wednesday" dinners where they would discuss school and life. Next, came helping her oldest daughter Amber when she moved from Texas and he helped provide a place for her to regroup. He taught her to drive, and years later became a "reverend" and married her and her husband Ray on the new deck in his backyard. The middle daughter was next to continue the pattern of moving in. After leaving the military she arrived from California with her young daughter. Being "Grandpa Ben" was another role he really enjoyed being. Each of us needed a slightly different version of a dad, and he adapted easily.

Benny fought (and won) against cancer in 2016. After which, he developed a fresh zest for life. There was so much joy and pure happiness in his life. He traveled to see his daughter in Tulsa, and another daughter and grandkids in Illinois as well as other family and friends every chance he could. He became a regular at the Midwest City Senior Center, did line dancing and loved the library. He loved to read and always had a new book he inspired each of us to increase our personal libraries. Benny also loved music. The type of music varied from Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash to Keith Urban to Jennifer Lopez and even Tupac, and sometimes it was even on at 3 am.

Benny fought hard to beat cancer this second time. He focused on what bought happiness. Sometimes it was just spending time catching up with family. He had memorable trips to England to meet Rikkies family and he loved combining his love for Soccer and Beer. If it wasnt Chelsea football on the tv, it was the New York Yankees or the Dallas Cowboys (if they were playing good).

He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and brother, and several close cousins, as well as his beloved cats Gizmo and Pontouf, and his beagle Millie. He is survived by his partner of 20+ years, Rikkie, and her children (Ryan Jolie Getty of WA, Amber Ray Davie of OK, Nyssa Maddysen Monahan of OK, Joseph Nicole Getty of CA, Esther Robbie Sanderlin of NC) along with his oldest daughter Michelle Hammer Jesse of OK, and his youngest daughter Kasey Loehr Bobby of IL. Along with all the grandchildren he will now look after from above.

The loss of Benny "Penny" Hammer is great, but so is the love for him. We will have a Celebration of Life sometime soon and will publish the information. Until then we invite each of you to keep Benny "Penny" alive in your hearts as will we. Please feel free to continue to send pictures and stories to my email or his Facebook page. It is healing to see and hear all the stories.

"A fathers love is forever imprinted on his childs heart." -Jennifer Williamson