Ralph C. Hanna, Jr.

Ralph C Hanna, Jr., age 82, died May 20, 2019 at his home in Winfield, KS.  He was born January 26, 1937 in Mayfield, KY to Elizabeth (Wiman) and Ralph C Hanna, Sr.  He graduated from Mayfield High School in 1955 and married his high school sweetheart, Annetta Louise Smith.  Soon after, they moved to Kansas where they started a family, and he attended Cowley County Junior College.  He completed his undergraduate degree at Southwestern College in Winfield in 1960.  He began a teaching career and also achieved a Masters in Education at the University of Alabama in 1967 and later his Doctorate in Education from the University of Florida in 1976.  He served as a teacher, football coach, guidance counselor, and school psychologist in the Winfield school system.  

He was especially proud of completing his Doctorate in Education and his work in establishing the Special Education Cooperative of Cowley County.  His dedication to youth and those with special needs was evident in all of his work.  He started a second career as a State Farm Insurance Agent in 1979 where he served until his retirement in 1999.  Annetta died on December 28, 2000. 

He met and married Robin Belden on March 8, 2003, doubling in size each of their families.  Together they enjoyed golfing, traveling and enjoying the lives and activities of their grandchildren.   Ralph loved fishing and hunting.  Many of his closest friendships evolved through hunting, fishing and coaching.  He loved all sports...participating, coaching, and later in life watching his grandchildren, the OSU Cowboys and KU Jayhawks.  He was a member of First Baptist Church and through the years served in several community service organizations and on the board of the USD 465 Foundation.

Ralph is survived by wife, Robin; sister Susan Lord and husband Tom of Lubbock, TX: children Ralph C Hanna III and wife Carol of Granbury, TX, Betsy Sullivan and husband Terry of Keystone Heights, FL, Sally Vessels and husband Eric of Choctaw, OK, and Barry Hanna and wife Chris of Garland, TX.  He is also survived by Robin’s children, Eric Belden and wife Michelle of Hutchinson, KS, Brett Belden and wife Katie of Pretty Prairie, KS, Katie Altine and husband Adrian of Keller, TX; 20 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Judy Hanna and first wife, Annetta Hanna.

Cremation has taken place.  A memorial service will be at 1:00 PM Saturday, May 25, 2019, at First Baptist Church in Winfield, KS with Dr. Marvin Parli officiating.  Following the service, the family will receive friends in the gym at First Baptist Church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Southwestern College – The Annetta Hanna Scholarship Fund and the First Baptist Church. Contributions may be left in care of the Shelley Family Funeral Home of Winfield. Online condolences may be made at www.shelleyfamilyfh.com.

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