Donald Essa Hanna DDS
June 27, 1931 ~ September 15, 2021 (age 90) 90 Years Old
Obituary
Donald Essa Hanna, D.D.S.
Austin Texas - In a gentle home hospice setting, Donald Essa Hanna was not only surrounded by his loving family, but also by the smells of food cooking in the kitchen, music playing, grandchildren laughing, and the touch of his wife’s hand in his, as he peacefully passed away at 5:48 p.m. on September 15, 2021. Donald Essa Hanna truly demonstrated the philosophy of his favorite Frank Sinatra song “My Way” by living a passion-driven life, a long life during which he had the courage to live his life his way!
Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, on June 27, 1931, Donald Hanna was raised by his parents Sarah Louise Ezar Hanna and Fahed Essa Hanna. He attended Corpus Christi schools, graduating from Corpus Christi High School (now Miller) in 1948. He then attended Del Mar College before joining the Air Force, serving at Ramstein AFB in Germany for three years and achieving the rank of Sergeant. Donald then attended and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Southern Methodist University and continued on to earn his degree in general dentistry in 1961. He married his wife Norma in 1955 at The Church of the Good Shepherd, and they settled in Corpus Christi, where he started his private dental practice in 1961. His first office was located on Gollihar Road, but in 1994, he moved his practice to McArdle Road. He faithfully served his beloved patients of Corpus Christi and the surrounding areas often with a song for more than 38 years. He retired on January 1, 1999.
Donald and Norma raised three sons and one daughter in Corpus Christi, and he was proud to become very involved in the community as they were growing up. Donald did everything with heart and spirit, and he was often the president of whatever organization he was a part of, from Little League to the Southern Federation of Syrian Lebanese American Clubs. He often played cards with his friends on the weekends when not in front of the television rooting for the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Astros. He loved traveling and had many adventures (and misadventures) all over the world, even hosting tour groups of family and friends for many years, hundreds of treasures collected from near and far could be seen around the Hanna home. And of course, it was impossible not to notice when Donald was in the room, his presence was big, his laugh hearty, and his smile wide.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years Norma Faye Hanna, son Owen Hanna (wife Theresa), son Kelly Hanna (wife Nena, grandchildren Alex and Sarah), son Kevin Hanna (grandchildren Austin, Kameron, Logan, Jackson) and daughter Chrissy Powell (husband John, grandchildren Jack and Mia). Many cousins, nieces and nephews. Pall Bearers are Austin, Kameron, Logan and Jackson Hanna, Robert Lee and Sam Canavati.
Visitation will be held at Seaside Memorial Park and Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, October 1, from 5:00-8:0 P.M. A service will be held at Church of the Good Shepherd on Saturday, October 2, at 11 A.M. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Kahlil Gibran Memorial Foundation at: https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?keyword_list=Khalil+gibran&bay=search.results#donate, which Donald was heavily involved in.
Austin Texas - In a gentle home hospice setting, Donald Essa Hanna was not only surrounded by his loving family, but also by the smells of food cooking in the kitchen, music playing, grandchildren laughing, and the touch of his wife’s hand in his, as he peacefully passed away at 5:48 p.m. on September 15, 2021. Donald Essa Hanna truly demonstrated the philosophy of his favorite Frank Sinatra song “My Way” by living a passion-driven life, a long life during which he had the courage to live his life his way!
Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, on June 27, 1931, Donald Hanna was raised by his parents Sarah Louise Ezar Hanna and Fahed Essa Hanna. He attended Corpus Christi schools, graduating from Corpus Christi High School (now Miller) in 1948. He then attended Del Mar College before joining the Air Force, serving at Ramstein AFB in Germany for three years and achieving the rank of Sergeant. Donald then attended and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Southern Methodist University and continued on to earn his degree in general dentistry in 1961. He married his wife Norma in 1955 at The Church of the Good Shepherd, and they settled in Corpus Christi, where he started his private dental practice in 1961. His first office was located on Gollihar Road, but in 1994, he moved his practice to McArdle Road. He faithfully served his beloved patients of Corpus Christi and the surrounding areas often with a song for more than 38 years. He retired on January 1, 1999.
Donald and Norma raised three sons and one daughter in Corpus Christi, and he was proud to become very involved in the community as they were growing up. Donald did everything with heart and spirit, and he was often the president of whatever organization he was a part of, from Little League to the Southern Federation of Syrian Lebanese American Clubs. He often played cards with his friends on the weekends when not in front of the television rooting for the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Astros. He loved traveling and had many adventures (and misadventures) all over the world, even hosting tour groups of family and friends for many years, hundreds of treasures collected from near and far could be seen around the Hanna home. And of course, it was impossible not to notice when Donald was in the room, his presence was big, his laugh hearty, and his smile wide.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years Norma Faye Hanna, son Owen Hanna (wife Theresa), son Kelly Hanna (wife Nena, grandchildren Alex and Sarah), son Kevin Hanna (grandchildren Austin, Kameron, Logan, Jackson) and daughter Chrissy Powell (husband John, grandchildren Jack and Mia). Many cousins, nieces and nephews. Pall Bearers are Austin, Kameron, Logan and Jackson Hanna, Robert Lee and Sam Canavati.
Visitation will be held at Seaside Memorial Park and Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, October 1, from 5:00-8:0 P.M. A service will be held at Church of the Good Shepherd on Saturday, October 2, at 11 A.M. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Kahlil Gibran Memorial Foundation at: https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?keyword_list=Khalil+gibran&bay=search.results#donate, which Donald was heavily involved in.
To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.
© 2024 Seaside Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved. Funeral Home website by CFS & TA | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy