Obituary: Hammel, Michael James
Age 62
His father was in the military, so he lived in many different places growing up.
Mike was passionate about baseball and a talented pitcher on an All Star team (in Germany), he continued playing all through high school as a first baseman, and later played softball for local leagues.
Mike graduated from Burlington Edison High School in Burlington, WA.
Shortly after graduation he joined the US Army and served his country honorably in the Vietnam War as a Morse Code Interceptor.
Upon being honorably discharged from the Army, Mike eventually graduated from Spokane Falls Community College with an Associate’s Degree with emphasis in Business Management.
His education and gregarious, charming personality served him well in his work at GranTree Furniture, then as a self-employed hairdresser, a service manager at multiple car dealerships, multi-store manager for Precision Timing, and as a Customer Service Specialist at the Airway Heights Correctional Institute.
Mike never met a stranger and his positive attitude inspired many.
As easy as it was for him to talk to people and make friends, he sought the solitude and beauty of nature and spent as much time at his place on Sacheen Lake as he could pursuing his passion for fishing with his dog, Lucky.
Mike passed away at home on December 22, 2014 from melanoma cancer after suffering for the previous eight years from various illnesses related to his exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.
He was an advocate for Veterans who were going through similar struggles.
A memorial to honor and celebrate Mike’s life is being planned for a later date.
Mike is survived by his loving wife Jamie Maryott, stepdaughter Danae Ashley and husband Henry Lebedinsky of Everett, WA, stepson Iain Ashley and wife Sharleen of Nine Mile Falls, WA and his two granddaughters Raina and Isla Ashley.
Mike is also survived by his loving parents James and Lois Hammel of Yuma, Arizona, his brothers Steve Hammel and wife Cheri of Las Vegas, Nevada, Scott Hammel of Spokane, sisters Shari Bays of Spokane, Patty Toft and husband Ken of Spokane, nieces and nephews Chris Bays, David Toft, Lindsey Hammel, Emilee (Toft) McDowell, Joey Toft, and Maia Hammel, as well as great-nephews and great-nieces Solomon, Samson, Simon, Rylie, Hailey, Delaynie, and many co-workers and friends.