Gary Lee Hamm

Gary Lee Hamm (73) of Blue Springs, Missouri passed away peacefully from heart failure early
in the morning on Friday, November 10, 2023, surrounded by family. He was a beloved husband,
father, grandfather, and so much more. He loved his family with all his heart, and he loved his
Savior, Jesus Christ, even more.

Born on April 30, 1950, to Pearl Magdeline Gentry and Clarence David Hamm, Gary spent most
of his childhood in St. Joseph, Missouri. His entrepreneurial mother owned several businesses,
and he always spoke fondly of sitting in her diner after school. During high school, he played
football and greatly enjoyed participating in ROTC.
After graduating high school, Gary went to Missouri Western State College, where he obtained
an associate degree in psychology. He met his wife, Cheryl, through church at Green Valley
Baptist. Friendship blossomed between them when Gary was working at her mom’s Christian
bookstore. They married on May 10,1980 and built their life together in the Kansas City Metro
area, most recently Blue Springs.

Over the years, Gary held a variety of professions including business, food service management,
sales, insurance, collections, and pastoring, which he loved the most. He treasured preaching the
Word of God and had a gift for counseling people with wisdom, grace, and compassion. Along
the way, he earned a bachelor’s degree in pastoral ministry from Master’s Seminary. He enjoyed
listening to sermons and discussing theology, and he had a slight obsession with collecting
Bibles.

Gary’s life was afflicted with physical hardship but marked by steadfast faith in the goodness of
God. He always found reasons to be thankful. He is remembered by friends and family for
wearing a smile even when in great pain; for his gentleness, kindness, and wit; for telling perfect
strangers about Jesus (even in his final days in the hospital); and for the welcoming warmth he
exuded to everyone he met. He had a way about him that endeared him to many.
Gary was preceeded in death by his parents, Pearl and Clarence.

He is survived by his wife, Cheryl, who was the love of his life; his sons, Russell (Lisa) Hamm, Travis (Britney) Hamm, Jesse
(Emily) Hamm, who were the pride of his life; and his seven grandchildren, Matthew, Madison,
Ambrielle, Elias, Adeline, Abigail, and Aliza, who were the delight of his life. His greatest joy
was his relationship with Jesus.
With heavy hearts we grieve, but not as those who have no hope. Gary will be always missed,
forever loved, and never forgotten.

We will celebrate and remember Gary’s life at a memorial service on Tuesday, November 28th at
10:00AM at LifeConnection Church in Independence, MO. Donations can be made to Voice of
the Martyrs in lieu of flowers.