Donald Eugene Hammer was born in Graham, Oklahoma on September 25, 1936 to Clarence Eugene (C.E.) & Annie Mae Suttle Hammer. Don’s family, including two older sisters, Mattie Lucille and Mary Louise, lived in Oklahoma and Illinois before settling in Holliday, Texas.
With the Christian nurturing of his parents, Don chose to follow Jesus at 9 years of age. At an early age he was also instilled with the principles of serving the Lord through ministry and missions. Don accepted God’s call and entered the ministry at age 20.
Don excelled athletically, socially and in his calling to grow in the Lord and serve Him. Don lettered in football, basketball, and tennis in high school. In college, Don was a member of ROTC, president of Alpha Chi, and involved in Life Service Band, which helped cultivate his growing mission spirit and faith.
During Don’s school years in Holliday, he met Kara Herring and they became good friends. It wasn’t until after they were attending Hardin-Simmons University that Don finally realized that he should be dating Kara. Don & Kara married on June 21, 1957 and returned as Rev. & Mrs. Hammer for their senior year at Hardin-Simmons. Don & Kara both graduated in 1958. Don earned a Bachelor’s degree with a major in History and minor in Bible.
Upon graduation, Don pursued seminary education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, earning Master of Divinity and Doctor of Theology degrees. Don was ordained to Christian Ministry in 1957. To earn an income while in seminary, Don used his athletic background to obtain jobs – he became the Director of the Southside Forth Worth YMCA and master lifeguard trainer. Don also worked as the first Athletic Director of the Fort Worth Country Day School.
Don & Kara had two children, Dathan E., born in 1962 and Rodney Lee, born in 1963, both in Fort Worth, Texas. Don taught his two growing boys about sports, life and serving the Lord. Don worked on the Baptist General Convention of Texas staff, for the Home Mission Board, and taught at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also served in the local church, in student pastorates, church ministry roles, and as interim pastor in a variety of Baptist churches for almost thirty years. Guided by his heart for missions, Don also traveled overseas and to Canada to serve the Lord. Don is known for saying, “That’s a 9-1-1 world out there and there ain’t nobody answering the phone.” Because the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 was one of Don’s life verses: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit”, it broke his heart to be in a part of the world where it seemed that Christian witness was not present and God’s people were not answering the call to GO.
Don earned many awards through the years. Most significantly, The Jessie Fletcher Award for Distinguished Mission Service was awarded to Dr. Donald E. & Kara H. Hammer from the Logsdon Theological Seminary at Hardin-Simmons University in 2010. Don received this award along with his wife, Kara, which was an honor that exemplified their lives of serving the Lord side by side.
Don was a devoted and loving husband and father, and friend to many worldwide. He will be remembered for his humor, love for God and love for people. “He made the world more bearable with his great humor”, commented a friend.
Don’s impact in ministry will live on for generations to come. One of his seminary students writes: “I consider Dr. Hammer one of the most influential men who impacted my pastoral career. In my 33 years of pastoring, I have tried to practice the things I learned from him. I am in debt to him for the wisdom & time he invested in me.” Another student stated: “My ministry was shaped and influenced by Don. His impact for Christ lives on!”
As people fondly remember Don: “Uncle Don & Aunt Kara – their love was beautiful”, “Don & Kara were such wonderful Christian witnesses”, “Don was such an incredible encouragement to our family”, “Don was such a great teacher and preacher and influenced many of us in our faith and ministries”.
Those who know Don would agree that Jesus has already welcomed him into His arms and said, “Well done, My good and faithful servant.”
Don was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Kara H. Hammer, his parents, Clarence Eugene (C.E.) and Annie Mae Suttle Hammer, and his sisters, Mattie Lucille Sorrels and Mary Louise Hessing. He is survived by his sons, Dathan (Jan) of Snellville, GA and Rodney (Debbie) of Lee’s Summit, MO, as well as five grandchildren, Dane (Jessica), Tyler (Lindsey), Brandon (Sayler), Brittany, and Daniel Luke (Megan) and 6 great-grandchildren. He will be missed by his family and friends, colleagues and students.
A visitation for Donald will be held Saturday, September 11, 2021 from 9:30am to 10:30am at First Baptist Church of Lee's Summit, 2 NE Douglas Street, Lee's Summit, MO followed by a 10:30am memorial service. A graveside committal service will follow at 12:00pm at Mount Moriah Cemetery South, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO.
The Memorial Service will be livestreamed and may be viewed by clicking the link: "Join Livestream" below or going to: https://youtu.be/y__N91d0kd4
