L. T. “Rusty” Hammond, Jr.

The Honorable L. T. “Rusty” Hammond, Jr. died Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, at Hospice House in Asheboro. He was 86 years old.

A lifelong Tarheel, Democrat, and resident of Randolph County, Rusty was born Dec. 29, 1939, and grew up in Randleman. He graduated from Randleman High School and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, where he was a sports reporter and sports editor for The Daily Tarheel, and where he met his wife, Alice. They were married for 65 years.

Rusty graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1963 and entered the private practice of law in Asheboro with his father, L. T. Hammond, Sr.

Rusty was first elected a North Carolina District Court Judge in 1970, and served as a judge and, later, Chief Judge, until 1986. He was a member of the North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission from 1980 to 1986. Rusty returned to private practice until retiring in 2000. In retirement, he served as an emergency judge until 2009, filling in for judges around the state.

Rusty shared his lifelong love of movies through his “Mr. Movie” column in The Randolph Guide and Randolph Hub. 

He shared his musical talents by singing in the chancel choirs of Central United Methodist Church and First United Methodist Church; by playing piano for Sunday School and Kiwanis; and by playing guitar and singing with children at Lindley Park Elementary School and Central and First United Methodist day schools.

He enjoyed fishing and gardening, and was particularly proud of winning 11 ribbons in flower competitions at the North Carolina State Fair.

Rusty’s numerous other volunteer activities included: Meals on Wheels; the North Carolina Zoo; Friends of the Randolph Public Library; the Kiwanis Club of Asheboro; Hospice of Randolph Board of Directors; and the ministries of Central and First United Methodist Church. He was a dedicated blood donor, earning a 13 gallon pin from the American Red Cross.

Rusty is survived by his wife, Mary Alice (Rowlette) Hammond; his daughters, Nancy Hammond of Hyattsville, MD, and Mary “Callie” Hammond of Asheboro; his sister, Martha (Hammond) Harvey of Carlsbad, CA; his granddaughters, ZiZi Hammond and Isabell Hammond; his nephews, Larry Cooper and Jim Cooper; his son-in-law, Ken Hawes; and his brothers-in-law, Daniel Cooper and Robert Harvey. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, L.T. Hammond, Sr. and Mary Martha “Pete” (Lineberry) Hammond, and his sister, Nancy “Nan” (Hammond) Cooper. 

A memorial service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Rusty’s memory may be made to any of the charitable, religious, and civic organizations to which he contributed so much of his time and energy.