Daniel E. Hanson

Daniel Eugene Hanson, 89, of Fulton, Texas passed away on February 8, 2025 after living a long and fulfilled life. Danny was born on January 23,1936 to his loving parents Virginia Steele Hanson and Eugene Edward Hanson in Wayne County, Michigan. Although he referred to himself as "Danny," the name "Popeye" was given to him over 40 years ago by his grandsons due to his strong will and physique.
Danny's perseverance and courage followed him throughout the course of his life. In 1942, he and his parents moved to Corpus Christi, Texas where he grew up and became a valued athlete at Roy Miller High School, setting records in both track and field and football. In 2014, Danny received the honor of becoming an inductee into the school's Buccaneers Athletic Hall of Fame.
After high school, Danny utilized his knowledge and skills honoring his country by serving in the United States Armed Forces as part of the U.S. Army and the U.S. Airforce during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He proudly earned the distinction of Chief Master Sergeant, contributing his successes to his parents' influence as well as to his esteemed Aunt Norma.
After retiring from the military, Danny moved back to Corpus and met the love of his life of sixty-one years, Gail Gilley Hanson. Together, they raised their beautiful daughter, Nora who blessed them with three exceptional grandsons.
Higher education became an important staple in Danny's life, which he passed on to his loved ones. He earned multiple degrees through the U.S. Airforce and Texas state colleges and proudly wore his three grandsons' Texas A&M T-shirts daily as a testament.
Continuing to utilize his education post military, Danny wanted to give back to the community by serving as a counselor for the Alzheimer's Association, working as a civilian in the aviation unit at CCAD, and volunteering with the Corpus Christi Police Officer's Reserve Program.
Additionally, Danny's love for animals was constant throughout his life. Those who met him knew that he always kept a dog by his side, along with a fishing rod.
Fishing was one of Popeye's other true loves that he perfected when returning to the Gulf Coast after serving in the Vietnam War. His grandkids were influenced by his fishing expertise and became great fishermen as well.
Danny's warmth touched many lives, as he had the fortune of spending quality time with his great grandchildren, engaging with people he met on his travels, becoming a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, and spending Sundays with his Fulton church congregation. Danny's legacy will live on through the retelling of his many comedic, ghostly, and heart-warming stories that he enjoyed sharing with family and friends on his porch patio. He ended his time on earth next to his three grandsons stating that "growing up with my grandkids was my happiest time in life."
Daniel was predeceased by his parents Virginia and Eugene Hanson, sister Chloe Ann Hanson, beloved Aunt Norma Brock, brothers Richard and Donald Hanson, Aunt Betty Lou, and great grandson Joren Davis.
He is survived by his loving wife Gail Hanson, daughter and son-in-law Nora and Tim Hoelscher, sister Norma Carol "Cookie" Miller, grandchildren Christopher Davis, Nicholas and Lori Davis, Stephen and Megan Davis, great-grandchildren, Brooklyn, Afton, Nathaniel, Sawyer, Aerilyn, William, and James Davis, and relatives Curtis Davis, Alisha Davis, and, Lincoln, Walter, Theo, Eddie, and Griffin Samples.
The family offers their heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Ray Graf for his years of dedicated care and attention to Danny.
Services will be held at Seaside Funeral Home in Corpus Christi, TX on February 19, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at the Costal Bend State Veteran's Cemetery in Corpus Christi, TX at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, Danny has requested that donations be made to the Humane Society of Rockport/Fulton TX because of his love for animals https://rockportfultonhumanesociety.org/ or to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation https://t2t.org/ due to his service in the U.S. military.