James Edward Hannon was born to the late John Calvin Hannon and Frances Simpson Hannon in New York, New York (Bronx) in 1947. He attended DeWitt Clinton High School (Bronx, NY)where he was an All-City football player (LB/FB). Upon graduating from high school James was drafted into the Army where he served honorably during the Vietnam War.
After being Honorably discharged from the military, James attended Westchester Community (WCC) College where he again became a standout football player helping to lead the WCC Vikings to winning the 1971 Junior College National Championship. He would later get recruited by the Legendary Coach Willie Jefferies to play football and finish his studies at South Carolina State College as member of the Bulldog Football Team. At his alma mater, South Carolina State College, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business.
After graduation, James had a stellar career as a Businessmen working for Toy’s R Us for over 30+ yrs. When he retired from Toy’s R Us, he decided to go back to school and obtained a Master of Science of Special Education from Grand Canyon University. He then started his second career as a Special Needs Paraprofessional and athletics coach (Football, Track & Field, and Wrestling) at Hunter Kinard Tyler High School in Norway, SC.
James along with his Teammates were inducted into the Westchester Community College Hall of Fame in 2010.
James loved traveling with his wife (Ada) when she was living, following his Alma Mata’s Football Team (SCSU), and watching his grandchildren grow up & play sports often providing Advice, Support and Love.
James is survived by two children, Jermaine Hannon (Adrianna) and Jacqueline Smith (Joshua) and four grandchildren (Abigail, Jayden, Collin, and Myles), one brother, John “Mickey” Hannon, one sister Durita Goodwin, and one brother in-law Benjamin Brunson (Minnie Bell).
James was loved and adored by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, teammates, coaches and students. His brother, George “Peanut” Hannon, sister Vivian Barlow, and granddaughter Addison London Hannon preceded him in death.

The service will proceed as follows: 

There will be NO PUBLIC Viewing. 

A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, December 10,2025 beginning at 1:00pm at Fort Jackson National Cemetery 4170 Percival Rd. Columbia, SC.