David J. Hanna

David J. Hanna On the morning of March 26, 2015, David passed away peacefully of natural causes, surrounded and comforted by family members. He was 79 years old. David was born on April 17, 1935 in Portland, OR. He was the second son of Norma and Samuel G. Hanna. In high school he cruised the streets of Southeast Portland in his 1948 Ford Coupe, “ Dragger Dave” to his friends. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1953, and then served his country in the United States Air Force. Dave returned to Portland to attain his degree from Portland State University. His homecoming brought the fortune of meeting the love of his life, a Rose Festival Princess named Frances Ann Poff. They were married in 1961; it proved a union of steel, lasting his remaining 54 years. David's early entrepreneurial legacy began with S.J. Pounder Realty and as Director of Marketing with Hanna Industries. Dave and his brothers also owned and operated four Sparkle Plenty car washes. His true passion and genius came in 1976, however, when he co-founded and was president of the International Yogurt Company which later became YoCream International. Despite the demands of building a frozen yogurt empire, David remained devoted to his family and his outside passions, including a great talent for handicapping greyhounds and horses. David was a familiar face at Multnomah Kennel Club where he was known as Big Wave Dave. David is survived by his wife Frances Ann Hanna; daughters Michele (Steven) Emery and Angela Hanna (Randal) Ballard; grandchildren Alexander and Biancha Emery; brothers James and John Hanna and four step grandchildren. Dave’s life will be celebrated at services on Saturday April 4, 2015 at 2:00 PM at Wilhelm's Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 6705 S.E. 14th Ave. Portland, OR 97202. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to The Wounded Warrior Project www.woundedwarriorproject.org. Service Information