Paul Arthur Hanna

PAUL ARTHUR HANNA, 93, of Prescott, AZ, died peacefully on Jan. 20, 2011. He was born in Crystal City, MO, Sept. 25, 1917, son of the late Harold and Bertha Hanna. Harriet Jane Hanna, Paul’s devoted wife of 55 years, preceded him in death, as did his six younger siblings. Paul is survived by his two loving daughters, Charlotte Brumit and Georgeanne Hanna, 5 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren.

Paul earned his AB degree with honors in Business Administration from University of MO Columbia, 1940. During WWII, he served in the US Army, 1941–46, first in the states and then in Japan, attaining the rank of Major. While stateside, Paul married Harriet Cool, 1943.

Paul returned to UMC as Business Manager, 1946–54 and earned his JD Degree in Law, 1953. He then moved to Dearborn, MI to the Office of General Counsel Ford Motor Co., 1954-58. Subsequently, Paul moved to California to assume a series of positions with Ford Aerospace, Aeronutronic Div.: Asst. General Counsel, 1959-62; Manager Contracts, 1962-64; Controller, 1964-66.

Paul entered private law practice in Newport Beach and later Costa Mesa, 1966 until retirement in 1982. During these years, Harriet worked as Paul’s legal secretary. Paul was active in community affairs and the Episcopal Church, serving as Chairman of the Orange County Grand Jury and Chairman of the Orange County Red Cross.

During retirement, Paul and Harriet built a home in Modjeska Canyon, CA. When Harriet passed away in 1998, Paul relocated to Prescott, AZ, to be near Georgeanne. He lived at Granite Gate Resort until 2007, then at Good Samaritan Prescott Village, where he spent the rest of his years.

At Samaritan Village, Paul was well known for his big smile and the special way he greeted everyone with a friendly “Hi!” He kept busy with gardening, exercise class, men’s social group, and chime choir. His favorite activity was gardening. He was a blue ribbon winner at the Yavapai County Fair for flowers he grew himself.

A Celebration of Paul Hanna’s Life will be held at Good Samaritan Prescott Village later this month, and his ashes will be interred at Pacific View Cemetery, Newport Beach this spring.

Donations in Paul Hanna’s name may be made to: Good Samaritan Prescott Village, Attn: Horticultural Program, c/o Georgeanne Hanna, 3742 Mountain View Drive, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314