Louis Scott Hammond

Scott, as he is known, was born October 25, 1955 in what was then, and is today, the small central Oklahoma town of Purcell, as was his father, Elvin Louis Hammond. His mother, Donna Akin Hammond was born, and raised several miles away in Durant.

Scott was the second of three children, and is survived by sisters Debby Hammond Bourg (David Bourg), and Beth Hammond McKeown (Robert McKeown). Scott is also survived by nephews Britt Parker, Clay Parker, Mike McKeown, and nieces Hollie Fierro, Amy Garvel, and Heather McKeown.

Scott’s upbringing was typical of the early oilfield days. His father was a roughneck and tool pusher. His mother focused her attention on the children and later worked as a Bookkeeper. And the family moved from opportunity to opportunity before settling in Midland in 1969 where Scott grew, learned, and played.

As a child, he was popular, a good student, and hyper competitive. He played little league baseball, ran junior high track, played high school basketball and football, participated in theater, and was a member of the Robert E. Lee Chorale that performed in Vienna, Austria. Scott was also in the folk group the Origin.

Not surprisingly, when Scott’s Class of 1974 Midland Lee peers voted, he was chosen “Most Talented.” The next year he enrolled in Angelo State University. A year later, after being invited to audition for the New York Metropolitan Opera (unsuccessfully), he enrolled in The University of Texas, where he would graduate with a degree in Business Administration and enter the Oil business as a Petroleum Land Man.

Yet, even as Scott’s life seemed to be settling, it was out of control. Alcohol and indiscretion had consumed him. And so it was, that in 1981, desperate for help, Scott returned to the Baptist teachings of his youth. In an abrupt and dramatic shift, Scott forswore alcohol and intemperate impulses in exchange for grace. His life changed, and he never looked back. Scott was born again.

Renewed, his fresh from college career began with a starter job in Bismarck, North Dakota with Hunt Energy. He hated it, and quickly quit. But other, better opportunities took him to other, better communities where he began to build the experience, expertise, and relationships that would sustain him for the rest of his working life. Tom Brown in Midland and Arkansas. Vastar Resources, and St. Mary’s Energy in Houston. Jones Energy in Austin. And finally BP America, back in Houston. Scott also owned his own gas production company, Integrity Resources, Inc.

The running, cycling, multi-sport life that many of Scott’s contemporaries identify with began during his Arkansas years. The weather was brutal, the terrain was unforgiving, the workout partners were merciless, and the workouts tested his mettle in ways he’d never previously experienced. Scott loved every miserable minute, and was hooked.

He was also good. Perhaps better than good. And in 1988, he won his first of four opportunities to race the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. He was 33, and he completed it in 10:15. Scott returned again the next year, but finished slower, and the disappointment nearly ended his training and racing odyssey.

Years later, after focusing on running under the long distance tutelage of Coach Jim McLatchie Scott moved from Fort Smith, Arkansas to Houston to train with the Houston Harriers. That was the spring of 1996. By 2002, he was back in triathlon top form and won, then declined his third chance to return to Hawaii because his Dad was terminally ill with cancer.

In 2011, he was afforded his final opportunity to test himself against the world’s best long course triathletes. He finished in 10:46. Twenty-three years older than his first trip to Hawaii, and only 31 minutes slower.

Unrecorded in this recounting of a life is the profound impact Scott had on the lives of others. There was a lot to him, and the interdependent bonds he formed with his family, friends, colleagues, and training partners remain as indelible as they are indescribable.

Scott was an experience. And to experience Scott was to embrace him in all of his uniquely unfiltered glory. He was exceptionally bright, curious, generous, confounding, self-deprecating, worrisome, thoughtful, stubborn, sensitive, loyal, forgiving, and unconditionally loving in the way he believed Christ commanded.

Scott’s faith was informed. He read his heavily annotated bible every day, and in it he found solace and inspiration. His prayerful place in the hereafter is secure

Louis Scott Hammond left this temporal plane. But he did not leave us, for he lives on in the hearts and memories of all lucky enough to have known him. And he survives in those thin places where the heavens and earth intersect. Look for him there. He will be looking for you.

Services celebrating Scott’s life will be held at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, Houston, Texas at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2019.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, friends make a contribution to Campus Crusade for Christ charity in Scott’s name.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialoaksfunerals.com for the Hammond family.