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Obituary – Hanson Douglas Sessoms

Posted on February 21, 2008 by Staff

Hanson Douglas Sessoms Ph.D., 76, of Chapel Hill, died Tuesday Feb. 12, 2008, at home after an extended battle with melanoma.

Mr. Sessoms was the son of the late Hanson and Sadie Edens Sessoms. He was a very caring individual who was loved by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He had a deep care and passion for his students, profession, community and family. He was an active volunteer for the Meals on Wheels foundation in Chapel Hill.

Born in New Hanover on July 18, 1931, he received a diploma from New Hanover High, Associates in Arts degree from Wilmington Junior College (UNC-Wilmington), a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina, a master’s degree from the University of Illinois and a Ph.D. from New York University.

During his retirement, he polished his photography skills with particular interest in wildlife and landscape photography. He had a very strong passion for Native American culture and art. He and Anne thoroughly enjoyed traveling the world throughout their retirement.

He was a retired UNC professor, after 41 years of dedicated service from 1954 to 1995. He received the Distinguished Professional and National Recreation and Park Association awards in 1989 along with many others honors and awards over the years.

He was a well known professor in his field of Leisure Studies and Recreation. Along with serving as curriculum chairman from 1963 to 1990 at UNC he also served as a visiting professor at 11 Universities throughout the United States and Canada and did eight accreditation visitations. He gave lectures in the Netherlands and authored or edited ten texts and over 150 articles and chapters on matters pertaining to his field of Recreation and Leisure. Dr. Sessoms was passionate about his work and studies and became well known world wide from his devout interest and knowledge.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Anne Lassiter Sessoms of the home, sons Benjamin Payne and wife Margaret of Greensboro; Robert Payne and wife Ellen of Graham; grandsons Douglas Payne of Raleigh; Ricky Payne of Greensboro; Josiah Payne of Graham; granddaughters Katie Payne of Greensboro; and Abigail Payne of Graham; aunt Jane Edens Cherry of Wilmington; and many other extended family members.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date to honor Dr. Sessoms.

The family requests that memorials be sent in his honor to the Sessoms Melanoma Education Fund at UNC Lineberger Cancer Center, CB# 7295, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599.

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