Claude "Bradley" Hanks

Claude "Bradley" Hanks Judice - Born April 27, 1941, in Rayne, Louisiana, Claude "Bradley" Hanks, 69, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 09, 2010 surrounded by his beloved family, after a short, courageous battle with esophageal cancer. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Basil Catholic Church in Judice, LA. Interment will follow at the St. Basil Mausoleum, Judice, LA. Bradley, affectionately known as "Honey", is survived by his wife of 20 years, Nancy Bell Hanks. He was also a loving father known as "Dad" to three surviving sons he called "my boys" Chad & wife Leslie of Lafayette, Troy & wife Lesli of Judice, and Jarrod & wife Heather of Orlando, FL. He also leaves behind a special daughter, Michelle Spangler & husband Leigh of Dallas, TX. Special joys of his life were his grandchildren, who dearly loved their "Poppo". They include Cheyenne Hanks Sandifer(husband Dominique) and Amanda Hanks, Shannon and Blake Spangler, Hailey and Heidey Hanks, Katie Hanks and Mallori Jeansonne, Amelia and Ella Hanks; also, his great-grandchildren Dallas and Parker Sandifer; his two dogs and one cat he cherished Tookie, Izzy and NuNu. He was also known as Brad by surviving siblings Elridge and Jannet Hanks. He is preceded in death by his oldest son, Mark Hanks, and his parents Claude Hanks and the former Winnie Dupont Hanks. Bradley had a long, successful career as a rice, bean, and crawfish farmer, respected and admired by many in the agriculture community. He was the first farmer to grow, mill, and wholesale rice in Lafayette parish, in addition to serving on many ag related boards. He was also an avid sports fan. He was an accomplished athlete in high school, in both basketball and track and continued participating in athletics through his young adult life, playing in the Lafayette Men's Softball & Basketball Leagues for many years. He also got great enjoyment out of coaching all of his sons through their many years of youth basketball. Pallbearers will be Chad, Troy, and Jarrod Hanks, Blake Spangler, Dennis and Brandon Glenn, Kane Hanks, and Jason Hanks. Honorary pallbearers are his special friends, Harvey Mouton, Larry Hanks, Bobby Foreman, Randy Falcon, Lercey Breaux, Thib Broussard, R.C. Cormier, Dale Denais, Aaron Duhon, John Fontane, Lester Simon, and the members of the Judice High School class of 1959. Celebrating the Mass will be Rev A. Rex Broussard, pastor of St. Basil Church. Lectures will be his granddaughters Cheyenne and Shannon, Eucharistic Ministers will be Leslie Hanks, Rick and Danette Stutes, gift bearers will be his grandchildren Katie, Mallori, Amanda, Heidey, Amelia, & Ella. Music selections will be performed by Organist Kevin Martin, Vocalist Jodi Bollich, and trumpetier Will Green, in addition to special vocal performance by his granddaughter Hailey Visitation will be held at Gossen Funeral Home, in Rayne, on Wednesday, August 11 from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and from 8:00 AM to the time of the service. A rosary will be prayed by John Fontane on Wednesday, August 11, at 7:00 PM at Gossen Funeral Home. The family would like to extend special gratitude to Dr. Ghyass Rizk and also MD Anderson Hospital and Hospice of Acadiana. In leu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations are made to: Hospice of Acadiana, Inc. 2600 Johnston St., Ste 200, Lafayette, LA 70503-3240. Family and friends may view the obituary and guestbook online at www.gossenfuneralhome.net. Arrrangements have been entrusted to Gossen Funeral Home, Inc. of Rayne, LA (337)334-3141.

Claude "Bradley" Hanks

August 9, 2010