Fallen Hero: MAJ(Ret) Donald “Don” R. Hansford

Gautier

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Funeral Home

O'Bryant-O'Keefe Funeral Home

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Obituary

Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard

In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.

Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on April 7, 2022, and moved on to his heavenly home. MAJ(Ret) Donald “Don” R. Hansford, age 75, a retired member of the MS Army National Guard who had served within the 890th Engineer Battalion, has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.

It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.

Rest in Peace Soldier. We applaud your patriotism and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, this country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright and live so free.

You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.

Obituary, visitation and service details:
February 19, 1947 – April 7, 2022
Gautier, Mississippi – Donald “Don” R. Hansford, age 75, of Gautier passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, April 7, 2022 at his residence. He was born February 19, 1947 in Pascagoula to George Randell Hansford and Zeta Kate Hardy Hansford. Don graduated from Pascagoula High School and received his Bachelor’s Degree from Mississippi State University.

He was a retired Major in the United States Army National Guard serving from 1970-1994. He was a former Designer for Ingalls Shipbuilding and Draftsman for Barnard and Burk Engineering. In 2001, he retired as a Maintenance Supervisor from Chevron Refinery after employment since 1977.

Don was the Commissioner for Utility District from 1986-2001 and he served on Gautier City Council from 2001-2009. He was a member of Gautier Rotary Club, Gautier Men’s Club, former Dixie League Softball Coach, and actively involved in his daughter’s and son’s activities, community and serving others.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 34 years, Karen Jane Casto Hansford; son, Randell “Randy” Clinton Hansford; father and stepmother, George Randell Hansford and Mary Hansford; mother, Zeta Hardy Hansford; nieces, Mary Elizabeth and Alice Elizabeth Bennett.
Don is survived by his loving daughter and son-in-law, Christi and Justin McMillian of Vancleave; four granddaughters, Makayla and Devyn McMillian, Trinity and Karsen Hansford; and one great-grandson, Nicholas Robert Lee; three sisters, Lucy Hansford, Ann Bell (J.W.), and Catherine Watkins.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 14, 2022,12:00- 1:00pm, at O’Bryant-O’Keefe Funeral Home in Pascagoula. Funeral Service will begin at 1:00pm in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Eugene Eubanks officiating. Graveside service will follow at Jackson County Memorial Park in Pascagoula with military honors. Pallbearers will be some of his friends from the Gautier Men’s Club: Greg Spanier, Shane Hard, Keith Pouncy, Mike McLaughlin, Ronald Phillips, and Todd Bates.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Cancer Society in his memory or Home of Grace. You may send condolences to his family or share a memory of him at www.obryantokeefe.com