Don Robert Hanmer

Don Robert Hanmer was born September 4,1945, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He died November 6, 2023, after a long illness; some wonder if he waited until the Texas Rangers won the World Series. Don was brilliant; the smartest guy in every room, but always so humble—a rare and winsome combination. He read nonfiction constantly and remembered all that he read, and his religious scholarship was legendary. He knew the Bible thoroughly, but his knowledge extended to all world religions. His friends at First United Methodist Church in Dallas and his colleagues at his office, where he was employed for 47 years, relied on him for stimulating conversation.

In high school Don was an excellent catcher in baseball and was named All Conference Honorable Mention as a defensive end in football. He also loved basketball both as a player and a fan. He earned a triple major in History, Philosophy, and Literature at Oklahoma University where he graduated magna cum laude. Following college, he attended Harvard Law School for one year before being drafted by the US Military. A true conscientious objector, he served as a medic at a military base in San Antonio, where his patients were soldiers returning injured from the Viet Nam War. He met his wife Penelope in San Antonio where she was teaching school, and they married three months later. After his service he returned to Harvard where he graduated in 1973.

Immediately after graduation from Harvard Law School, Don joined Carrington, Coleman, Sloman, Johnson, and Blumenthal as an associate attorney. It turned out to be a great fit. Don was elected as a partner in the firm six years later, and remained with the firm until his retirement in 2020. Don’s practice focused on commercial real estate and lending transactions. He was the go-to lawyer within the firm for expertise in usury law, the Uniform Commercial Code, guaranties, and myriad other subjects. Clients and colleagues loved Don for his relaxed presence, thoroughness of investigation, diligence, and sage advice.

Hanmer lived a principle-driven life. He was generous with his time and skills, performing pro bono work for several agencies. He fought against the establishment of the Glen Rose Nuclear waste facility, was a longtime supporter and founding contributor to the development of Family Gateway, and he served on the Advisory Council for Crossroads Community Services. His negotiations between Crossroads and the North Texas Food Bank enabled Crossroads to move its operations to their new facility on Cockrell Hill Rd. He was active in First United Methodist Church in many ways, and was a member of Class Etc., served on the Staff-Parish Relations Committee, was a member of First Foundation, and participated in adult education. He was an elected delegate to the North Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church for years.

Don also loved trains and had a huge collection of them. Along with some dear friends, Don set up a massive model train display during the Christmas season at FUMC as his gift to the congregation.

He is survived by Penelope, his wife of 51 years, and their sons Travis (and wife Dana), Andrew; brother and sister-in-law Glenn and Diane Hanmer, and his sister Pam and brother-in-law Mike Hargraves. He was predeceased by his parents Robert and Margaret Hanmer, and his sister Jean Zuniga.

Services for Don will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, November 17, at First United Methodist Church, Dallas.