Harold Dean Hannah

Harold Dean Hannah of Abingdon passed away peacefully from his earthly heaven on August 3, 2024, at Johnston Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

Harold was born March 19,1934 to Mark Elmer and Verda Faye Messer Hannah in the community of Ola in the Little Cataloochee Valley of North Carolina. At the time of his passing, Harold was thought to have been the last surviving person born in that community which would later become a part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Because his father would become the Warden and then Supervisory Park Ranger of Cataloochee, Harold was able to enjoy a childhood filled with opportunities for exploration of the natural world. He also enjoyed fly fishing in the creeks, hiking on the many trails crisscrossing the mountains, and bicycling all over the valley floor. Harold graduated from the Waynesville Township High School in 1952.

Love and talent for music was part of his family history, but Harold was especially drawn to the banjo, and he learned to play by imitating the style of his musical hero, Earl Scruggs. Over the years, Harold played at square dances, community gatherings and family functions with many different musicians, some from his own family. His banjo playing experiences and thoughts were also documented in a 2023 book about banjo pickers from Haywood County entitled “Making Music: The Banjo in a Southern Appalachian County”, written by William C Allsbrook, M.D.

A desire to see the larger world led Harold to join the United States Army in 1953, where he served at Fort Jackson, SC; Fort Gordon, GA; and finally at Fort Benning in Columbus, GA. Harold was selected to be in the Advanced Leadership training where he finished the program at the top of his class. He was also privileged to become a member of the first ever Honor Guard in the Headquarters Company of the 29th Infantry Regiment. Honor Guard duty was offered to only the top performing soldiers in drilling, marching and rifle handling skills, so Harold was proud to be part of military teams honoring dignitaries and veterans all over the Southeast in these special ceremonies. 

In the summer of 1954, Harold first saw Ethel Nolan at The Cataloochee Ranch where he was playing music for a square dance, and the attraction was immediate for them both. Harold and Ethel soon met in person and their love and marriage has lasted for 70 years.

Harold attended North Carolina State University and while Ethel was busy with two young children, Harold was studying his third love, the ecology of trees and forests. His career after graduating from NC State was spent at the Virginia Division and Department of Forestry. His career with the VDF started in Waverly and Bowling Green, and later continued with a promotion opportunity in Abingdon, where the family relocated, and Harold would spend the rest of his professional career; he eventually became the Regional Forester of the Abingdon VDF office. 

In addition to his work with local tree growers, and especially walnut tree farms, one of his favorite career projects was related to “bringing back” the great American Chestnut tree which was devastated by a progressive blight over decades. As researchers worked on developing blight resistant DNA strains, he was a part of the field research to see if they could survive and thrive. His passion for this project was fueled by his first-hand experience of the devastation while growing up in the Great Smoky Mountains. The story of this research by American Chestnut Foundation was featured in a National Geographic Magazine article published in February 1990 which shows a photo of him in one of his research plots.

After retiring from the Department of Forestry in 1991, Harold concentrated on the Christmas tree farm that he had started in the 1970’s. The Hannah Christmas Tree Farm was widely known in the area and many families were able to come to the farm for a quality Christmas tree at a very affordable price. His goal was to create that kind of experience for families to enjoy and be a lasting memory, and he was always gratified for people to recognize him as “the Christmas tree man” when he met people outside of the tree farm. The Hannah Tree Farm stayed open until Harold was 88 years old.

Harold’s greatest satisfactions in life came from sharing his love of nature and knowledge of plants, flowers, trees, stars and planets with his children and grandchildren through camping and hiking trips.

In addition to his parents, Harold is predeceased by his brother and favorite guitar accompanist Lowell; sisters Helen Hannah Trantham, Lillian Hannah Stokes, and Joyce Hannah Smith; grandchildren Katie Hannah and Matthew Hannah; son-in-law Glenn Mooney, sister-in-law Trina Parsons Hannah, and brothers-in law Kenneth Gardner, Samuel Smith, Richard A “Dick” Stokes, Claude Trantham and Don Hardison.

He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife Ethel, sister Lois Hannah Hardison of Tucker, GA, brother and fellow banjo picker Donald Byron Hannah of Maggie Valley, NC, sons John Hannah of Tampa, FL and Mark Hannah (Angela) of St George Island, FL, daughters Donna Hannah Mooney of Bristol, TN, and Shirley Elaine Hannah of Truckee, CA; grandchildren Karen Fox (Darren), Britt Mooney Hinks (John), Will Mooney (Courtney), Allison Mooney (Jeff Doersch), Ashley Hannah, Ben Rosenbaum, Rachel Hannah, Evan Hannah, and Adam Rosenbaum, and great grandchildren Landon and Ryan Fox; Jack, Lucy, and Eleanor Hinks; Eli Stacey; Calder Doersch; and Hayden Mack. Also surviving are many beloved nieces, nephews and extended family members!

A graveside service with military honors  will be held for family and friends at the Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Waynesville, NC on Friday August 9 at 10 AM. A celebration of Harold’s life will be planned at later dates in both Maggie Valley, NC and Abingdon, VA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Harold’s memory to the Friends of the Smokies at friendsofthesmokies.org

The family would like to extend appreciation to the medical staff and support personnel of Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon Health and Rehab, and English Meadows staff and residents for their care and counseling during Harold’s health challenges and final days. 

The family of Harold Dean Hannah is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service, Main Street location, 427 E. Main Street, Abingdon, VA 276-623-2700.