Missouri Hotel Magnate Hammons Dies

Well-known hotel businessman John Hammons died Sunday in Springfield in the nursing home he'd lived in since 2010.

Hammons has built more than 200 hotels in 40 states across the country, including Embassy Suites, Marriots, Radissons and Holiday Inns.

Hammons was a big supporter of sports on both sides of the state border. He was major donor during the drive to keep the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in Wichita and get a new facility for the HOF. His name is atop the arena at Missouri State University.

Hammons company, John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, once had developed a plan to build what would have been an $80 million hotel, conference center, arena and baseball stadium in Olathe, until financing fell through.