Dr. Cecil Noah Hammonds, Jr.

Dr. Cecil Noah Hammonds, Jr, 86, of Leawood, Kansas, passed away on April 26, 2022. A Rosary will be prayed for Cecil at 3:00 pm on Sunday, May 1, 2022 at McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO 64145, followed by a Visitation until 5:00 pm. Burial will be at 11:00 am, Monday, May 2, 2022, at 11:00 am at Curé of Ars Catholic Church, 9401 Mission Rd, Leawood, KS. Burial at 2:00 pm at Forest Hill & Calvary Cemetery, 6901 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, MO.

Cecil was born to Cecil Noah, Sr. and Irma Mary (Kraxner) Hammonds on September 6, 1935 in Omaha, Nebraska. Growing up, he lived in several states, including: Nebraska, California, Utah, Kentucky, and Missouri. While in Kansas City, Cecil attended Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School for his elementary education (1948). He graduated from De La Salle Military Academy (1952). While at De La Salle, he attained the rank of Captain.

He attended University of Kansas City (University of MO at Kansas City) for his Bachelor of Science, Chemistry (1956). He then attended University of Kansas (KU) for his Master degree, Chemistry (1959). He later attended Louisiana State University (LSU) for his Ph.D., Chemistry (1968).

After graduating from KU, he spent 30 yrs. as a Chemistry Professor and Division Chairman (Science Department) at Metropolitan Community College (1959-1989). He then spent 7 yrs. as a District Director of Management Services at MCC. During his time at MCC, he championed better salaries and benefits and helped develop policies and regulations. As one of his colleagues stated, “(he was) a fountain of knowledge about the history and workings of MCC.” During his community college years, he was active in the American Chemical Society, serving as national Chairman of Community College Chemistry Committee as well as earning the distinction of Master Teacher from the American Chemical Society.

Cecil was known for his love of genealogy, stamp collecting, boy scouts, travel, community, and family. He could frequently be found sitting around telling family stories and giving such sage advice as: “Always eat desert first and tell your stories to anyone who wants to listen,” (grand-niece, Lexie) or “do not pay the government anything till it’s due and then not a penny more.” (nephew, Roger). Many of his interests and love for family and friends have been passed on to all his family.

His love of genealogy came from inheriting his father’s genealogy book and he continued to maintain the family records by digitizing them. He often travelled back to the family homestead (Odessa) for family reunions. This love of genealogy has been passed on to his niece, Mary Anne.

He was a lifetime Philatelist (stamp collector) expanding his father’s collection and passing this interest to his grand-niece, Melissa, who attended Stamp collecting conventions with him and started her own collection.

He was active in the Boys Scouts of America (BSA), Mic-O-Say Tribe, where he attained his Eagle Scout (1952), was on staff at H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation (1952-1956) and achieved the tribal position of “Keeper of the Wampum.” He remained active in Boy Scouts through the Mic-O-Say council (late 1970 – early 1980’s) and encouraged his nephew, Roger, grand-nephew, Cameron, and grand-niece, Alexandria, to attain their Eagle Scout.

He had a love of travel and could frequently be found traveling the world with his mother and brother, sister, nephew, and nieces. He visited Europe, including annual visits to London and the occasional visits to the “old country” of Steinberg, Austria. He visited 5 continents (North and South America, Europe, Asia, Oceania) and most of the United States.

He was an active member of his local community as former President of the Leawood Estates HOA and worked on the City of Leawood Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), and helped establish the Hyde Park Association. He was a 50 yr. member of the Catholic fellowship at Curé of Ars Catholic Church.

He built a unique “family” community encompassing a wide variety of interests. In Hyde Park, KCMO, he could often be found visiting with renters whom he talked with about their family and lives. He attended the Missouri Rep, with family and friends, again visiting with the regulars. His love of food would frequently see him visiting with his MCC colleagues at their monthly Breakfast club and joining his family at the Benton’s Sunday Brunch “club”. He often spent time with his grand-nephew and grand-nieces around such activities as TV/movie nights and family dinners. This love for connectivity with family and friends is a legacy his grand-niece, Meagan, values.

He is preceded in death by his father, Cecil Noah Hammonds, Sr and his mother, Irma Mary (Kraxner). He is survived by his brother, Thomas Carl Hammonds of Leawood, KS, and sister, Mary Elizabeth Porter (Hammonds) of Kansas City, MO, and cousin, Donald Gene Owings of Odessa, MO. His nephew, Roger Larry Porter, Jr. of Olathe, KS. His nieces, Mary Anne Melloy (Porter) of Leawood, KS, and Cynthia Maria Standlea (Porter) of Kansas City, MO. His grand-nieces, Melissa Lynn Arnold (Melloy) of Prairie Village, KS, Meagan Marie Cochran (Melloy) of Rochester, MN, Cameron Morris Porter of Olathe, KS, and Alexandria (Lexie) Marie Porter of Olathe, KS. His great-grand-nephew, Jotham Wayne Arnold, great-grand-nieces, Inara Rose Maravene Arnold, Evangeline Marie Cochran, Annalea Thea Cochran, and Genevieve Hart Cochran.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Metropolitan Community College Foundation (MCC Foundation), 3200 Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64111.