Donald Eugene Hanna

Donald Eugene Hanna, 72, of Fort Worth died Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014, after a courageous battle with cancer. Memorial service: A memorial celebrating the life of Don will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 2, at Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth followed by visitation at the church. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in his memory to: Don Hanna Memorial Scholarship, HSU Cowboy Band Foundation, HSU Box 15220, Abilene, Texas 79698; Texas Music Educators Association Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 140465, Austin, Texas 78714; Cancer Care Services, 623 S. Henderson, Fort Worth, Texas 76104; Broadway Baptist Music Ministry, 305 W. Broadway, Fort Worth, Texas 76104. Donald was born June 14, 1941, in Alma, Ark., to Otis Levi Hanna and Clemmie Leftwich Hanna. He married his life partner and college sweetheart, Shirley Blackwell, July 13, 1963, in Bedford. Donald graduated from Raymondville High School, received a bachelor of music from Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, and a master of music education from North Texas State University, Denton. Don was a beloved band teacher at Sweetwater JHS, Odessa Crockett JHS, Fort Stockton HS, Denton HS, Denton Ryan HS, and Amarillo HS. After retiring from Texas public schools he was director of Bands at Hardin-Simmons University for eight years. He was soon teaching again at Pantego Christian Academy and Fort Worth ISD. In the fall of 2013 he began his 50th year as a music educator serving as band specialist for the Fort Worth ISD. Don was also a dedicated church musician serving as church organist in Raymondville, Fort Stockton, Denton, Amarillo and Abilene as well as serving as a deacon in the Baptist Church. Some of his honors include Texas All State Band, 1958, dedication of the All-School Sing at Hardin Simmons University in 1996-'97, honorary life member of Texas Music Educators Association, 1996, and election to membership in American Bandmasters Association in 2000. He received the Baynard H. Friedman Hero Award in 2005 and the Meritorious Achievement Award by Texas Bandmasters Association 2006. In 1973 he was elected into Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Mu and inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2007. Don held professional memberships in the Texas Music Educators Association, and served as band vice president and president from 1992-1997. He was a charter member and vice president of the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and held memberships in Texas Bandmasters Association, American Guild of Organists, TODA, CBDNA, ASBDA, NBA, Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Mu Alpha and Lions International. He will be missed by family, friends, students and colleagues as he loved and was loved by hundreds. He frequently challenged his students, "Be the best you can be and that will be good enough." His son and daughter are following their father's footsteps and are band directors. They share his life passion in helping their students and colleagues. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Joe Lee Hanna; and sister, Jane Hanna Garrett. Survivors: Wife, Shirley; and their two children, Alan Donald Hanna and wife, Shari, of Flower Mound and Kimberley Joy Hanna of Fort Worth. In addition, he was beloved "Grandfather" to Laura Jane Hanna of Fort Worth and Jack Mitchell Hanna of Flower Mound; sister-in-law, Sharon Blackwell Ward and Garland of Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.; brother-in-law, Jerry Garrett of Crockett; and sister-in-law Jo Hanna of Hot Springs, Ark. Additional family include nephews, nieces, cousins and his "family" of dear friends from across the country.