Harlan Bruce Hammons (01/24/1946 - 04/05/2026)

A man of his word and a great teacher in and out of the classroom are apt descriptors for Bruce Hammons, 80, of Antlers, who passed in his home surrounded by family.

Bruce was born in 1946 in Hugo to William Harley and Georgia Ann (Davenport) Hammons.  The Hammons family lived and ranched in Finley. As the eldest son, he worked with his dad, but after graduation from Antlers High School, he decided to pursue a college education at East Central University. He taught wood shop and coached basketball and football at Antlers and Morris, Oklahoma. In addition, he worked at the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, and the Oklahoma Department of Health. His love of horses never wavered and he enjoyed calf roping and bull riding.

Bruce, a Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma tribal member, was a man of many talents in addition to his knowledge of cattle, horses, and horsemanship. His students speak of the dedication he gave to assist them in succeeding on their path of choice. Being community minded, he designed and built (along with family and friends) the Finley Arena to host equine events. The first George Hammons Memorial Bulldogging was held in the early 1990’s and continued through 2007. During his life in Finley, he hosted 4-H Horse Shows, play days, firework shows and church revivals. Each of these events included a “Cream Can” filled with delicious food that is remembered by all in attendance.

Livestock was always a part of his life, but horses were a favorite and Little Tough Pistol, Toughy, was his pride and joy. Along with training horses, he broke a team of goats to pull a wagon when he was a child, which fostered his love of education and hard work.

Bruce was preceded in death by his father, Harley and mother, Georgia (Davenport); and brother, George.

He is survived by: two daughters – Natalie (Marc) Hamilton of Fountain Valley, California and Suzanne Storie of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; five grandchildren - Jack, Sydney, and Ben Hamilton, Nadia and Chandler Storie; one great granddaughter - Alayna Thompson; two sisters – Linda Tims and Kathryn Hooker. As well, he had a host of other relatives and cherished friends.