The saga surrounding hotel-industry titan John Q. Hammons is in many ways surreal and in most ways sad.
Mr. Hammons—I’m breaking from journalistic tradition and using a salutation for the revered 92-year-old hotelier; I’ve never been inclined to call him anything but Mr. Hammons whenever I crossed paths with him—has not been seen publicly for several months, and there’s a battle between his friends who want to see him and his caretaker.
According to numerous sources, Mr. Hammons hasn’t been seen since returning from a heart procedure in Cleveland at the end of August. There are several articles detailing the situation. Here are three of them that I found most interesting:
For the quintessential list of articles about Mr. Hammons’ condition, check out this coverage in the Springfield News-Leader.
The irony of Mr. Hammons’ health being shrouded in secrecy is that he always relished the spotlight as an hotelier. Whether he was speaking about why he created glass elevators at Embassy Suites properties (they provided better security for female guests), what he looks for when he’s considering new hotel development (where the next highway is going, and he pulls out several maps to show you where several highways are going to be built) or why wearing comfortable shoes is a must (you never know when you’re going to be running through an airport), Mr. Hammons was always quick with a quip and a wry smile.
Mr. Hammons has been bigger than life for at least 50 years. Think about this:
- He was in on the launch of hotel franchising when he and partner Roy Winegardner (who passed away in 2009 just short of his 90th birthday) joined forces to sign a deal with Kemmons Wilson to build Holiday Inn hotels.
- He was born 24 February 1919—approximately three months after the end of World War I—and entered the hotel business after being a teacher early in his life.
- His name is everywhere in Springfield, Missouri—on buildings and statues and seemingly everything in between.
- He is the Pelé (or Madonna) of the hotel industry—often referred to as simply “John Q.”
The first time I heard of John Q. Hammons was in February 1984. Then a sports reporter and radio announcer for the Valparaiso University Crusaders, I was aboard the team bus as it rolled into Springfield for a game against Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State). I couldn’t believe the number of places that carried the Hammons name. “Whoever this Hammons guy is,” I thought, “he must be a pretty powerful guy.”
Now that I know his stature in the hotel industry, my respect for Mr. Hammons is immense. There’s a certain amount of self confidence, ego, business acumen and outgoing personality that makes a man as well known as John Quentin Hammons. I can’t say if it’s right or wrong that Jacquie Dowdy, a longtime employee of Mr. Hammons, company director and the acting CEO of John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, is honoring his wishes by keeping him isolated. She has his power of attorney, and most everyone who knows Mr. Hammons hopes and prays she is doing the right thing.
The Springfield News-Leader is reporting that a hearing is scheduled for today to possibly address the guardianship issue. If there’s a change in guardianship, there could be a big sigh of relief from Mr. Hammons’ friends.
There are differing reports regarding Mr. Hammons’ physical and mental states, but in the grand scheme of things, that is irrelevant. It’s really about companionship and love.
For a man with Mr. Hammons’ track record for having friends everywhere, it’s sad that longtime friends can’t spend quality time around him before the inevitable occurs. As uncomfortable as it is to say, there are people who would like to say farewell to a man who educated them, nurtured them, befriended them and supported them. I’d like to think we all want to experience that comfort before we meet our maker. I’m hoping compassion prevails and that’s allowed to happen for Mr. Hammons.
