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Emmett Carl Hannes was born on May 25, 1915 in Dime Box, Texas. He attended the Dime Box Public School before graduating from Caldwell High School. He attended the University of Texas and Southwest State Teacher’s College in San Marcos, Texas. Emmett taught school for three years before beginning his banking career with Lexington State Bank in Lexington, Texas in September of 1939. He served in the United States Air Force attaining the rank of Captain. As a B-25 Bomber pilot during WWII, Emmett served in the CBI Theater of Operations and flew in 70 combat missions.

After being separated from the service in November of 1945, he began work as a Cashier in the First National Bank in Giddings. He was named Vice President in 1958 and Senior Vice President in 1973. He became a member of the Board of Directors in 1953 and served as the Chairman of the Board and President of the First National Bank from September of 1978 until his retirement in March of 1982.

One of the greatest joys in his life was when he married the former Helen Shaw on December 8, 1945 in the chapel of Brook General Hospital at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. They spent nearly 58 years together before her death on September 3, 2003. Emmett and Helen were active members of Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Giddings and together they owned and operated Hannes Insurance Company in Giddings for many years.

Emmett was a charter member and the first president of the Giddings Rotary Club, being a member from March 8, 1955 until the time of his death. During the course of the years, he served as Treasurer and served on several committees including, most recently, the Country Music Monday tickets and greeters committee. He received the distinction of being named Rotarian of the Year in recognition for his services. He is also a past president and director of the Giddings Chamber of Commerce and was named Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 1987. He and Helen received the special honor of the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Giddings Chamber of Commerce in 2002.

In 2012, the Rotary Club of Giddings began the Annual Memorial Emmett Hannes 5k Run/Walk which is held on the first Saturday in March as a memorial to Emmett.