1942
Major
2021
Major Dorsey Hammett
April 12, 1942 — March 29, 2021
Major D. Hammett, 78, passed away on Monday, March 29, 2021, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Major Hammett was born April 12, 1942 in Trenton, MO to Dorcas and Alten Ray (A.R.) Hammett. The family lived on a farm in Galt, MO. Major graduated from Galt High School and attended the University of Missouri in Columbia where he received his Bachelor’s degree and his Juris Doctorate. He then served in the U.S. Army stationed at Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey where he was the Commanding General’s Personal Contracting Officer.
Major was a senior at Mizzou when he met Sue, the love of his life. They were married in 1965. After they completed their degrees, and Major finished his service to the Army, they moved to Independence, Missouri, in 1970. They have lived here ever since.
The couple has always enjoyed being active in their community and Christ United Methodist Church. Major served as the chairman of several church boards, but the longest was 25 years as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at CUMC. Major was the President of the Sunday School class for 30 years, sang in the choir until his health declined, and he worked on many other projects and committees in the church. He was a member of the men’s Bible Study group and United Methodist Men. He loved working for the church food pantry, faithfully serving families each month.
He served on the Jackson County Mental Health Levy Board for 30 years as a member, Chairman and later as their attorney. Major served on the St. Mary’s Hospital Board of Associates, Board of Curators for Central Methodist University, Chicago Alton Depot Board, and Independence Japanese Sister City Commission where he served as president and a board member for nearly 30 years. Major and Sue hosted many students and adults from Japan in their home. They enjoyed traveling to Japan several times to see all of their friends.
Major loved spending time with his family especially his wife, his boys, and their families. He loved playing basketball in the driveway with his sons and the grandchildren and beating them! He was a constant figure at all of their activities. Major and Sue started a yearly tradition of going to Mexico with their family, where many adventures and treasured times were shared.
Major will be dearly missed, and memories will be cherished for a lifetime. He told stories and shared advice that is respected and followed. He taught his sons a commitment to faith, the value of hard work, and importance of service to the community.
He thought of everything and gave his sons guidance on practical matters regularly, from career matters to sales at Sam’s Club. Every fall, as the weather got colder, both sons received a reminder call from Dad to unhook their hoses before it froze. His grandchildren grew up on “Grandpa’s special mix” of lemonade and orange juice and his cheesy eggs.
The grandchildren attribute many of life’s lessons to him and regard him as one who lit up a room, and he was their role model and inspiration.
Major is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sue, sons: Major II and wife Lisa; Mark and wife Kristin, Grandchildren: Mason, Liam, Mali, Madeline, Caroline, Benjamin; sister: Alice Blain and husband Bill Blain; brother: Richard Hammett and wife Karen; sister in law, Norma Hammett plus many wonderful nieces and nephews. Family has shown great love and care throughout his lifetime.
A scholarship is being set up to honor Major’s legacy, his commitment to his community and service to others. In lieu of flowers and a service, memorial contributions may be directed to: Blue Springs Education Foundation, c/o Major Hammett Sr. Scholarship, 1801 NW Vesper St., Blue Springs, MO 64015. To show our sincere appreciation, the Hammett family will acknowledge each donor with a personal note from the family.
*All donations are tax deductible*
Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com
(Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)
Major Hammett was born April 12, 1942 in Trenton, MO to Dorcas and Alten Ray (A.R.) Hammett. The family lived on a farm in Galt, MO. Major graduated from Galt High School and attended the University of Missouri in Columbia where he received his Bachelor’s degree and his Juris Doctorate. He then served in the U.S. Army stationed at Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey where he was the Commanding General’s Personal Contracting Officer.
Major was a senior at Mizzou when he met Sue, the love of his life. They were married in 1965. After they completed their degrees, and Major finished his service to the Army, they moved to Independence, Missouri, in 1970. They have lived here ever since.
The couple has always enjoyed being active in their community and Christ United Methodist Church. Major served as the chairman of several church boards, but the longest was 25 years as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at CUMC. Major was the President of the Sunday School class for 30 years, sang in the choir until his health declined, and he worked on many other projects and committees in the church. He was a member of the men’s Bible Study group and United Methodist Men. He loved working for the church food pantry, faithfully serving families each month.
He served on the Jackson County Mental Health Levy Board for 30 years as a member, Chairman and later as their attorney. Major served on the St. Mary’s Hospital Board of Associates, Board of Curators for Central Methodist University, Chicago Alton Depot Board, and Independence Japanese Sister City Commission where he served as president and a board member for nearly 30 years. Major and Sue hosted many students and adults from Japan in their home. They enjoyed traveling to Japan several times to see all of their friends.
Major loved spending time with his family especially his wife, his boys, and their families. He loved playing basketball in the driveway with his sons and the grandchildren and beating them! He was a constant figure at all of their activities. Major and Sue started a yearly tradition of going to Mexico with their family, where many adventures and treasured times were shared.
Major will be dearly missed, and memories will be cherished for a lifetime. He told stories and shared advice that is respected and followed. He taught his sons a commitment to faith, the value of hard work, and importance of service to the community.
He thought of everything and gave his sons guidance on practical matters regularly, from career matters to sales at Sam’s Club. Every fall, as the weather got colder, both sons received a reminder call from Dad to unhook their hoses before it froze. His grandchildren grew up on “Grandpa’s special mix” of lemonade and orange juice and his cheesy eggs.
The grandchildren attribute many of life’s lessons to him and regard him as one who lit up a room, and he was their role model and inspiration.
Major is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sue, sons: Major II and wife Lisa; Mark and wife Kristin, Grandchildren: Mason, Liam, Mali, Madeline, Caroline, Benjamin; sister: Alice Blain and husband Bill Blain; brother: Richard Hammett and wife Karen; sister in law, Norma Hammett plus many wonderful nieces and nephews. Family has shown great love and care throughout his lifetime.
A scholarship is being set up to honor Major’s legacy, his commitment to his community and service to others. In lieu of flowers and a service, memorial contributions may be directed to: Blue Springs Education Foundation, c/o Major Hammett Sr. Scholarship, 1801 NW Vesper St., Blue Springs, MO 64015. To show our sincere appreciation, the Hammett family will acknowledge each donor with a personal note from the family.
*All donations are tax deductible*
Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com
(Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Major Dorsey Hammett, please visit our flower store.
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