Obituary
Dylan James Ham
August 1, 2000 – January 4, 2025
Born on August 1, 2000, in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Dylan James Ham was a kind-hearted and adventurous young man who lived life to the fullest. He passed away unexpectedly on January 4, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, cherished memories, and a life well-lived.
Early Life and Love for the Outdoors
From a young age, Dylan had a deep love for the outdoors. Whether fishing in neighborhood ponds, catching frogs, or exploring nature with his older brother and friends, he found joy in the natural world. Some of his favorite memories were weekend fishing and hunting trips with his father and brother, and family ski vacations in Colorado with his Aunt Anita, Uncle Craig, and cousins, Jackson and Jordan Ham.
Sports and High School Achievements
As he grew older, Dylan channeled his energy and enthusiasm into competitive sports, excelling in baseball, wrestling, basketball, and football. A proud graduate of Lee’s Summit High School (Class of 2019), Dylan made lasting friendships and earned accolades for his athletic achievements, particularly in football. As a defensive end, he was recognized with All-Conference Honors during both his junior and senior years. Dylan also served as the team’s long snapper and took on offensive line positions as needed, always demonstrating his versatility and dedication to the team.
Education and Career
After high school, Dylan pursued his passion for engineering, earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in December 2023. Shortly after, he began his career as an Electrical Engineer in the Power Delivery Division at Kiewit in Lenexa, Kansas. Dylan thrived in his role, enjoying both the collaborative environment and team-building activities, including competitive softball with his coworkers.
Cherished Relationships
Even with his professional success, Dylan’s love for the outdoors never waned. He cherished time spent at the family farm with his father and brother, hunting deer and turkey, building food plots, cutting trails, and fishing. He maintained close relationships with his mother, Carrie, and brother, Jacob, with whom he shared a deep bond and frequent communication. Dylan also treasured moments with his close friends Nick and Zack Froehlich, Cain Ridnour, Jackson Wood, and his girlfriend, Hannah Pond.
Dylan met the love of his life, Hannah Pond, in high school. They continued developing their relationship after high school while Hannah played soccer and attended Park University, working on her nursing degree, and Dylan pursued his engineering degree at UMKC. After college, their relationship matured and grew as they both began their professional careers. Hannah was an integral part of Dylan’s life and family. We are deeply heartbroken for Hannah and her loss.
Survived By and Legacy
Dylan is survived by his parents, Daniel and Carrie Ham; his brother, Jacob Ham, and his girlfriend, Hannah Pond; and his extended family: Craig and Anita Ham (Jackson and Jordan); John and Wendy Ham (Zane, Zander, Zaiden, Zaxby); Judy Wentland; Tracy Carmack and Rod Ward (Lucas, Hailey and Destiny); Scott and Annette Baker (Jill and Connor); Vince Baker (Jackie); and Bill Meyers (Hope and Hunter).
Dylan will be remembered as a kind-hearted, adventurous young man who lived life to the fullest. His faith in God was a cornerstone of his life, providing him with strength and gratitude for his many blessings. Above all, Dylan loved his family and friends, who will forever hold his memory and legacy in their hearts.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Missouri Department of Conservation, https//mdc.mo.gov (contact-engage-donate).
Condolences
Visitation
Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
Services
Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
Words can’t describe how big of an impact Dylan made on my life and those around me. I am forever grateful on the time I was able to spend with him. Lifetime of memories were made and I will never forget them for as long as I live. My heart goes out to his family and friends, I love you all.
Dan,
My heart breaks for you and the entire family. I don’t have the words to say,so just know we send prayers and our hearts are broken.
Sending much peace, love and light to surround the Ham family.
The Ham family, I am so very sorry for your loss. It’s a tragic thing that happened. I will say a prayer for your family. Take care of each other
We are absolutely devastated to hear about the loss of Dylan. When we first moved here Dylan and Jake were the first kids we ever met. Dylan always called Grayson “Bob” (which we always thought was hilarious)!! He was always the sweetest of all the kids in the neighborhood. We hold a special place in our hearts just for him and your family. We wish there were words to express how sad and sorry we are. Jake and Meg were so close through elementary school, and Dylan was apart of all our lives.
With love,
The Leonas Family
Our sincere condolences to the entire Ham family. Dylan was such a character and loved by so many. Being next door neighbors we saw him grow from a youngster into a handsome man. I still remember when he was just a little one, he rang the doorbell and asked my wife if i could come out and play in the snow! Fond fond memories. The world will not be the same without him! Chris & Dorothy Campo.
We have heard so many great things about Dylan, Jake and your family from Kena. We were so sad to hear of Dylan’s passing. We have been praying for you every day. Our hearts go out to your family during this difficult time.
Dear Carrie,
Cindy just told me the news today. My heart sank and I can’t even imagine what you and your family are going through. I am so sorry 😭. Praying for you and may you feel the Lords comfort and presence.
Karen Anderson
(Josiah’s mom and old neighbor)
We are so sorry for your loss. On the surface, Dylan was a great friend to both of our kids. But he was much more than that…a deep thinker with a quick wit; a fiercely loyal confidante. He will be dearly missed by all of us. Condolences to both the Ham and Pond families.
Praying for healing and comfort for your family. Dylan was truly one of the best; kind, effortlessly humorous, and more than all, a great friend who will be missed by many. I am so sorry for your loss.
Thank you for the memories. Love you brother rest in peace.
Sending my prayers and condolences to your family. I knew Dylan for a very long time, from baseball when we were young to school since kindergarten, he was one of my oldest friends. He never failed to make those around him laugh and was always a kind and caring friend. He was always someone you could rely on and most of all he was loyal to his friends and family, one of the most adoring qualities you can ask for in a person. He will be missed so much and his memory will be carried on through his family and friends.
Dylan is one of the best guys I know and I’m so lucky to have been able to call him a friend all these years. He never failed to make me laugh and I always felt safe when he was around. I love him so much and will miss him infinitely. I am so sorry to his family, Hannah, and other friends. Everyone is in my thoughts and prayers.
I played softball with Dylan for the last year or so. He’s a great guy and was always pretty chill to hang around. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time.
Dylan was truly one of the best people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing, and I’m extremely lucky to have had him as a close friend. He was goofy, lighthearted, witty and someone you could always trust and lean on. To know dylan is to absolutely adore him, and I will cherish all of the great memories I have of him. I’m so sorry for your loss and I hope time can help heal those close to him. He will be so missed.
I can’t put into words how much Dylan meant to me and those around him. A great friend and an even better person. Dylan was one of my best friends and I can genuinely say he was the funniest and most loyal guy I knew. I’ve known Dylan for a long time, and I am forever thankful for everything he has done for me and the times we spent together. His memory will forever live on through his friends and family. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Ham/Pond family, I love you all.
Dan, I am so sorry for your loss. I can’t imaging what you are going through. Our prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Greg
I can’t begin to express the heartache we feel for Dan, Carrie, Jake, and the entire extended family. Dylan and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. 🙏🙏🙏
Mark, Frances, and Joe
Dylan was one of the best guys around since we were kids. I am forever grateful for all the fun memories we shared. Sending all my love and prayers to his family and friends.
Hannah, thinking of you daily and just so sorry for this huge loss. Praying for you and both of your families.
Thinking of you as you celebrate Dylan’s beautiful life. He will live on in so many hearts.
Prayers comfort and strength as you walk this path.
Love,
The Monaghans
Though it feels unfair to lose him so soon, God called him to be our strongest angel. Our hearts go out to family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. May his light continue to shine in all of us. Love and prayers
Dylan was truly one of a kind. We shared countless late nights full of laughter. I can’t even begin to explain the amount of jokes we had that only we understood. Sometimes I’m not even sure if we understood them ourselves, but that wasn’t important. He was never scared to tell you what you needed to hear, so I would go to Dylan whenever I needed advice or just someone to talk to. Dylan will forever be remembered for his deep love of nature, his contagious laugh and smile, as well as his fierce loyalty to his friends and family. He will forever be my favorite comedian, my fishing buddy, and my brother until the very end. Sending lots of love and prayers to the Ham and Pond families.
Carrie, Dan and Jake,
I just heard of Dylan’s passing. We are so very sorry for your loss and our thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family.
Dan,
My condolences to you and your family during this time of tragedy. The Dahl family sends our prayers to you and your family.
Russ
Dan
My heart breaks for you and yours. My thoughts and prayers are with you a Dylan as well as your family.
I’m terribly sorry for your loss…I knew Dylan from softball at Kiewit, but I did not get the opportunity to work with him. Everyone I have talked to has had nothing but great and positive things to say about him and his work ethic. At softball he always brought a smile and positive attitude to the field win or lose. I was blessed to play by him and gain his friendship. He will be greatly missed by our teammates and colleagues.
Dylan was a great guy and will be very much missed. I had the pleasure of working with him at Kiewit for over a year and really enjoyed interacting with him. He was very friendly and polite, and put his best effort into being an outstanding engineer. He did as great of a job at engineering as he did at being kind and friendly. I appreciated the times he got to participate in our team’s social events, and he affected me and everyone else in a positive way. My most sincere condolences go to his loved ones–God bless you.
I cannot describe how great of a man Dylan was. Dylan has been a long life friend ever since we started flag football at a young age. He was a man of character and was a person you could go to for anything. Dylan would always bring a smile to my face no matter the circumstance. He’s a guy I’ve looked up to and I will forever cherish the memories we made. I am so sorry about the loss and will continue to pray for his family and friends. Love you all, he will be deeply missed.
I had the privilege of knowing Dylan through Olivia, my younger sister, and Hannah, who I played soccer with in college and who has since become one of my dearest friends. Dylan was incredibly intelligent, fiercely loyal, and unwaveringly protective of everyone he cared about. Several of my hardest and longest laughs came from his sharp wit and humor—a testament to the joy he brought to those around him. My heart goes out to the Hams, the Ponds, and all his friends. Dylan’s absence is deeply felt, but his indelible memory will live on in the countless lives he touched.
Dylan was one of my first childhood friends, all the way since Kindergarten. The memories we made growing up together are ones I will always cherish. Dylan always had a unique way of making everyone laugh with his dry sense of humor, and I am truly thankful for all the memories we created throughout the years. He will always hold a special place in my heart. I am praying for his family and friends during this difficult time
Dan and Carrie,
I just read the beautiful testament to Dylan’s memory. He was such a special young man. Our family treasured the times at Destin and the Lake with Dylan and your family. Our works felt like the boys were their cousins too. Prayers for God’s healing and peace for you both.
To both families my thoughts are with you all. Dylan was not only a friend, but a brother to me. Countless days and nights of good times and laughter that will forever be engraved in my memory. Words cannot describe how grateful I am to have known Dylan, may he rest in peace.
With love,
Erik
I feel incredibly lucky to have known Dylan, especially growing up together and creating so many unforgettable memories. He had a unique ability to make you laugh exactly when you needed it most, with an incredible sense of humor and quick wit. What stood out the most about Dylan, though, was his selflessness and genuine care for others. Whether he realized it or not, Dylan had a profound impact on me. Even though we were just a few months apart in age, I always looked up to him for the amazing person he was. I will forever cherish the memories we shared and the lessons he taught me, both directly and indirectly. Rest in peace, my friend. My thoughts and prayers are with the Ham and Pond families during this very challenging time.
It is hard for us to imagine life without Dylan and our kiddos growing up three doors down from each other. The countless funny and sweet stories and the memories we will always cherish. We feel your immense loss and we are sending our love to all of you.
Someone who could make a room full of people laugh, someone who was honest, and someone who gave my bestfriend an amazing love story to be told. My thoughts and prayers to Dylan’s family/friends and the Pond family. Rest in peace, God gained and angel
We are praying for your family to find God’s comfort and guidance through this unthinkable time. Our deepest condolences.
Dan, my heart breaks for you. Will always remember some great hunts with you guys in SD. Thoughts and prayers for you and the family.
What devastating news. I am so sorry for your loss, Ham family.
Hannah, sweet girl, I can’t begin to imagine.
There aren’t words that can help. We are sending love and praying that God would wrap you all in His arms and help you to take on each day from here.
Song and Lewis
My heart goes out to both the Ham and Pond Families.
I will forever cherish the days and nights spent at the Froehlich house with Dylan. He was one of the funniest people I have met and had the biggest heart for the people he loved. The lasting effects that Dylan has made on so many people’s lives will keep his spirit with us forever.
To Jordan, Zach, Nick, Cain, Jackson and many others:
Lean on each other and in the Lord. Dylan’s loyalty and love for you all was unconditional. Never let this die, cherish the moments and memories that were made, and be there for one another.
To Hannah:
My heart is broken for you. Dylan was so in love with you and seeing the excitement he had for your future was very heartwarming. His passion for your relationship is something every man should learn from. You are surrounded by so many people that love you and are here for you. Allow yourself to find peace in all the years of memories and love that Dylan poured over you. He will be a part of you for the rest of your life and will be cheering for you every step of your jorney.
With Peace and Love
-Pete
Although I didn’t know Dylan well like my brother did, every interaction I had with him he greeted me with the biggest smile, kindness, and a lot of humor. Hearing Max talk about Dylan over the years, it’s clear that his friendship and loyalty were unlike most. Praying for strength and comfort for the Ham/Pond families & their loved ones during this difficult time.
We are so deeply saddened by Dylan’s passing. It tough to know what to say. Jake is family to us and our families have shared many times raising these fine young men. Ethan’s heart is broken over your family’s and Jake’s grief.
May you find comfort in memories and knowing so many people care about you and love you.
I am heartbroken hearing about this. Sending much prayers to the ham family. Loved playing beside Dylan throughout my highschool career, we built a lot of memories and many funny moments together.
I was Dylan’s sixth grade teacher. He was such a good kid – all boy, ornery, with a good sense of humor. Truly, Dylan was one of my favorites and will be remembered with great fondness. May the God of all comfort hold you all during this most difficult time.
Sandy
Dylan was a very good friend of mine in our younger years. Though we grew apart as we got older, I still remember the days playing baseball with him as kids. I’m deeply saddened to hear of his passing. Praying for his friends, family and loved ones. God bless him, and God bless you all.
Dan & Carrie
We are at a loss for words… just that you are in our thoughts and prayers every day.
With deepest sympathy,
Jim & Judy Crossley
Dan and Carrie, I cannot express how saddened I am about Dylan’s passing. Grant just told me. There are no words that can possibly ease the pain you are experiencing. Although it has been years since we lived in the neighborhood, we still remember Dylan fondly. Grant and I wanted to let you know how sorry we are and that we are sending prayers for your whole family. Teresa Smith and Grant Frampton