David Grafton Hannam was born on April 29th, 1941 in the City of Sheffield, in the County of Yorkshire, England to Mary and Joseph Hannam. He passed peacefully into the hands of our Lord on May 28th 2016 at the age of 75 in Carrollton, Texas in the United States of America. David’s was a life of service and he was a wonderful husband to Janet, father to Elizabeth, father-in-law to Wm. David and grandfather to Max and Ben.
David was an adventurous and practical child, loved to swim and play rugby. He was commissioned into the British Army in 1961. In the early 1960s, he served in Borneo and Hong Kong and those years he often still remembered fondly, telling stories of sitting in the street gutter eating local delicacies. When he returned to England, he met Janet and they settled into Army life serving in both the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and for most of his career in the Royal Army Pay Corps, which later became the Adjutant General’s Corp. Military postings took them to serve with the British Army of the Rheine in MÜnster, Germany and to both the north and south of England. It was perhaps his posting to Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, Indiana in the early 1980s as the British Exchange Officer to the US Army Finance Corps that was the greatest time of his life. It was there that lifelong friendships were born. He and the family travelled the country extensively and they saw him promoted to the rank under which he would eventually retire, Lieutenant Colonel. Returning to England, David served in London at the Ministry of Defense in Whitehall, with the Parachute Regiment in Aldershot and was posted then back to the home of the Royal Army Pay Corp at Worthy Down, Winchester in the south of England where Elizabeth had grown up. When David retired he remained in his role at Worthy Down as an employee of EDS when they took over the British Army payroll contract. When Elizabeth met Wm. David in 1991, David did not hesitate to welcome him to the family and encourage her to follow her heart and move to the United States and it was in 2000 when he and Janet had both retired that they followed her and moved to Texas to be near her and her growing family. David was not ready to give up work however and was employed by the Technology Department of Frisco ISD for 14 years serving a different community this time and was instrumental in the opening of the many schools during the early years of the city’s explosive growth. It was only illness that forced him to retire.
David was not complicated but was a very deep and gracious man. He was also a very practical man all his life, handy with tools and cars and taught his “Daddy’s girl”, Elizabeth all he knew. He always focused on the essence of things, “just got on with it”, displayed an unmatchable work ethic and was always ready to have a good time! He loved fine wine, fine food, travel, trains and motor sport. In the early days of his marriage he always worked on his cars and loved to watch Formula One racing and then found a new passion in NASCAR when he came to Frisco. Through his church, he and Janet formed new and lasting friendships, enjoying more good times and fellowship. Most of all he loved his family. He was a devoted husband, and he and Janet shared love, support and understanding that is beyond measure for over 50 years. He was a pillar of strength and wisdom as a father, father-in-law and grandfather and loved nothing more than playing trains, swimming in the pool, watching baseball games and telling stories with Max and Ben.
David was a man of extreme courage, grace in adversity and sheer will. He was quiet about his pain, not wanting a lot of fuss and was determined to maintain his strength and dignity. David was a founder member of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Frisco, TX and a faithful follower of Christ, and we are comforted and at peace in the knowledge that his soul has eternal life and he now lives free of pain with our Lord and that one day we will be reunited.
David is survived by his wife, Janet Hannam, daughter, Elizabeth Hamilton, son-in-law, William David Hamilton, grandsons, Maxwell Hamilton and Benjamin Hamilton, all of Frisco TX; younger brother Richard Hannam, sister-in-law Kate Hannam, of Sheffield, England and niece Rosamond Savournin and great-niece Ellie Whitehouse of London, England.
David’s family are humbled and honored by the outpouring from around the world of love, prayers and support for this great man. He was loved by so many, admired by so many, inspired so many, had laughed with so many and served so many and we give thanks for his life, his love and his presence in our lives.
Floral tributes or donations to St. Philip’s Episcopal Church “In Memory of David Hannam” may be sent to 6400 Stonebrook Parkway, Frisco TX 75034.
All are invited to the funeral service to be held at 2pm on Wednesday June 1st, 2016 at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 6400 Stonebrook Parkway, Frisco TX 75034 and the internment following the service to be held at Ridgeview West Memorial Park, off Eldorado Parkway in Frisco.
A reception will follow the internment in Stanton Commons at St. Philip’s Church to which, again, all are invited to celebrate David’s life.