James Cecil Hannan, 94, of Colbert, Okla. passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 8 at Southern Pointe Nursing Home with his family by his side. He was born Oct. 11, 1925 in Colbert, Okla., son of Calvin Hannan and Rosa Head Hannan.
James and his loving wife Wyota, were married 73 years and lived all of them here in Colbert where they owned multiple businesses before retiring in the late ’80s. He is remembered by the community for being a great butcher while owning four different grocery stores over the years and later by all the young kids to whom he sold candy at the Colbert Variety Store.
He loved the outdoors and spent hours tending to his garden and yard and was always teased for providing enough vegetables not only for his family and close friends but for the entire community. He was a retired volunteer fireman who served 50 years protecting his community and a charter member of the local Colbert Historical Society.
His grandkids have described him best in sharing their memories of trips and overnight stays. Popcorn, ice cream cones, fried okra, garden fresh corn, striper fishing, picking up pecans, lots of dominoes, wahoo, with friends and family. The most patient and sweet man you could ever know. He was well known by all of his family for his daily naps laying in the living room floor which he continued until just a few months ago.
James is survived by his wife, Wyota of the home; two daughters, Donna Gage and husband Malcolm of Colbert, and Anna McKinney of Denison; eight grandchildren, Lori Sackett of Calera, Stacy Anders of Colbert, Tonya Crump of Denison, Bryce Gage of Marble Falls, Stephanie Carlton of Bokchito, Phyllis Loe of Pottsboro, Erica Deweber of Denison, and Tiffany Citty of Friendswood; 13 great-grandkids and four great-great-grandkids.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Calvin Lee and Winson and his son Cecil Ray Hannan.
Family and friends are invited to stop by the funeral home on Friday, April 10 between 2-7 p.m. Due to the coronavirus, visitation is limited to four to six people at a time. A private burial will be held on Saturday.
A special thank you to the Southern Pointe Nursing Home for the excellent care they gave to our loved one while he was a resident there and the outpouring from the community during his brief illness.
Arrangements are under the care of American Funeral Home.
