James Michael Hanna

James Michael Hanna, M.D. 1950 - 2025

Dr. James Michael Hanna (Mike) passed away September 6, 2025, at his home in Huntsville, Texas surrounded by family.

Mike was born in Terrell, Texas on August 12, 1950, to James Louis (Pat) Hanna and Billy Jean (Patterson) Hanna, the oldest of four children.

Mike achieved the rank of Eagle Scout as part of Troop 333 and attributed much of his love of the outdoors to his early scouting experiences. Mike attended Kemp schools where he graduated valedictorian of the class of 1968. While in school, he served in various leadership roles including State Beta Club president, Future Farmers of America president, class president and football team captain. As a young man, Mike was an accomplished athlete and at the age of 14 pitched a no hitter in Mexico City as part of an international all-star baseball team.

Upon graduating from Kemp High School, Mike attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas on a baseball scholarship. He quickly realized his future was in medicine, not baseball, and transferred to The University of Texas at Arlington where he received a bachelor's degree in biology. Mike then attended the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston on a Naval Scholarship. While in medical school, he joined Phi Beta Pi medical fraternity where he earned the nickname "Bear" and made several life-long, enduring friendships.

Upon receiving his Medical Degree, Mike served two residencies; the first in psychiatry at Timberlawn Hospital in Dallas, Texas and the second in Dermatology at the United States Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. He was certified in Dermatology by the American Board of Dermatology.

Mike served 7 years in the Navy, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander. After completion of his medical residency, he was assigned to the USS Lexington and was based in Pensacola, Florida and Corpus Christi, Texas.

Upon leaving the Navy, Mike and his family settled in Huntsville, Texas where he established his dermatology practice and served the community in the same location for 39 years.

Mike was a lifelong Texas Longhorn fan as well as a Texas Ranger fan. An avid hunter and fisherman, he especially loved duck hunting and bass fishing. He enjoyed spending many hours with his friends and family at his beloved farm in Kemp.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Pat and Billie Jean Hanna of Kemp, his grandparents, Forest and Louise Hanna of Kemp and Jack and Mattie Patterson of Aley, Texas. He is survived by his wife of 49 years and childhood sweetheart, Cletus Kay (McDougald) Hanna and son Christopher Shane Hanna both of Huntsville, Texas. Mike is also survived by his brother Mark Hanna of Dallas, Texas, brother Forest Hanna of Tuscaloosa, Alabama and sister Laura Ann Hanna Peace of Mesquite, Texas.

Mike leaves many friends and family members to cherish his memory; his larger-than-life presence will be missed by all who knew him.