Donald Paige Hanks

Don Hanks was born January 29, 1926 and passed away June 1, 2014. He was born in Abilene, Texas to Hugh James Hanks and Nolah Faye (Pool) Hanks. Don, a fifth generation Texan, whose ancestors migrated to Texas with Stephen F. Austin in 1826, graduated from Abilene High School (1943) and Texas A&M (1948), where he earned a Masters degree in Chemistry; was assistant editor of the 1946 student year book, The Texas A&M Longhorn; and a proud member of the Corp of Cadets.

While in College Station, Don joined the Episcopal Church, and later met and married his wife, Mary Margaret Darnell, on May 31, 1950. After living in Bryan, Texas for a short time, the couple moved to Abilene. There Don worked for Squibb Pharmaceuticals, and later teamed with fellow Abilenian, Abraham Allen, to form what later became Abilene Drug, and then the Sav-X drugstore chain, serving Abilene and West Texas. Don and Margaret traveled the world extensively, but most enjoyed their many summers spent in the Hawaiian Islands with family and friends.

Don and Margaret were instrumental in starting St Mark’s Parish in Abilene, which later became St Mark’s Episcopal Church. Don spent his last 16 years in Dallas, near his family, and was a member of The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation.

Don is preceded in death by his parents and wife, of 48 years, Margaret.

Don is survived by brother, James W Hanks (Shirley) of Pensacola, Fla.; sister, Gayle Valor (Bob) of Hulbert, OK; children, Cynthia Hutchison (Sam) of Kerrville, TX; Ken Hanks (Beth) of Dallas, TX; Jana Bailey (Mark) of Richardson, TX; grandsons, Peter Hanks, Brandon Bailey, and Scott Hanks; and best friend and constant companion, over the last 15 years, Virgil Taguba.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, June 5, 2014, at The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, 3966 McKinney Ave. Dallas, TX, 75204.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to The Church of the Incarnation Dallas.