Hannan, Kevin Watson
73, passed away peacefully on July 28, 2022, after a brief illness, surrounded by his loving family. The oldest of four, Kevin was born in Gary, Indiana on October 5, 1948 to Mary Lucille Watson and James Joseph Hannan.
Kevin graduated from Moeller High School in 1967, and briefly attended St. Gregory University before voluntarily joining the Navy to fight in the Vietnam War. The Hannan family moved to Louisville in December of 1967, where Kevin’s father Jim opened Jim Hannan Oldsmobile. After serving three years in the Navy, Kevin moved to Louisville, KY to be with his family, where he began his career in the car business. First as a salesman, and then after his father’s death, as a dealer. He purchased his father’s dealership, and changed the name to Hannan Oldsmobile, which he successfully ran for many years. It was there he met his life partner, and best friend, Jeannie Corrigan. Together they raised one son, Drew Hannan, in Louisville, KY. Kevin did also have a second career as CEO of Payne Electric Company where he worked after the passing of his father-in-law, Robert L. Corrigan, founder of Payne, until his retirement in 2008.
Kevin had a love of cars, motorcycles, and travel. He often fused the three by taking long road trips with his family exploring the back roads and places often passed over. He also took many cross country motorcycle trips with his friends, camping and exploring along the way. He especially loved the mountains and traveling in the Western United States. Kevin loved fast cars and vehicles as unique as his personality, and in his lifetime owned many that some could only dream of. Jeannie says that new cars found their way into the Hannan driveway so often, she stopped being surprised when she would open the front door to find Kevin standing next to a different vehicle. His latest favorite was an old Jeep Cherokee. He also loved gadgets, and always had the newest tech devices.
Kevin often laughed about his sweet tooth, which he inherited from his mother, Mary. He loved all things chocolate, Modjeskas, and he never met a cookie he didn’t like, nor could he ever pass up an ice cream shop. He had a Coca-Cola with dinner practically every night; the Mexican Cokes were his favorite. He especially loved sharing his sweet tooth with his granddaughter, Ellis, and the two of them often snuck an extra treat or two when no one was looking.
Kevin was an extremely generous and thoughtful person, and always took care of his loved ones, along with others if he saw a need. We will miss getting two cards from him for our birthdays because he couldn’t decide which one he liked best, eating dinner with him at his favorite places, and visiting with him on Saturday mornings during his weekly playdates with Ellis. Kevin was a unique individual, and while he had a quiet, reserved demeanor, it disguised a sharp wit and hilarious personality; his humor, which he kept until the end, will be greatly missed.
Kevin was predeceased by his parents, Mary and Jim Hannan, and his father-in-law, Robert L. Corrigan. He is survived by his life partner, Jeannie C. Hannan; his son, Drew (Lucy); his favorite person in the world, his granddaughter, Ellis; his sisters Holly Wright (George), and Jamie Gerlach (Steve); and brother David (Heather); as well as many nieces and nephews, and his best friend Richard Oatley (Sarah).
The family gives special thanks to the ICU team at Norton Brownsboro Hospital, for all the loving care they gave to Kevin, and for all the support and kindness they offered to us.
Visitation will be held on August 7, 2022 from 12-4 p.m. with a memorial service starting at 4 p.m., at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Rd, Louisville, KY 40205.
Expressions of sympathy may be in the form of donations to St. Vincent dePaul, (502) 272-2134, P.O. Box 17126, Louisville, KY, 40217-0126 https://www.svdplou.org/donate-now/