James Hanson

Jim Hanson spent his last days surrounded by his loving family and friends before leaving us on June 2nd, 2023.

Our father came into this world by way of Spokane, WA, the youngest of Henry and Mildred Hanson’s seven children at the tail end of the depression. His childhood years were spent in the mountains between WA , ID and MT with his grandfather and father at the logging mills producing lumber. That connection to wood would run through our father’s entire life.  Most of dad’s occupations have involved working in the lumber and the construction business. This took our dad on adventures to Alaska where he constructed substations and oil platforms in Prudhoe Bay Alaska and was general contractor of the Anchorage FBI building. In between he built hundreds of homes, and apartment buildings across the western US. Some kids went to Disneyland, we toured construction sites as a family. He was most proud that his son Steve followed in the family footsteps as a craftsman.

Our father had a stronger connection to his faith after a near death experience at the age of eight when a log stack he was sitting on at the mill nearly took his life, but in our father words he was saved that day by the Grace of God and that it was a miracle that he was uninjured when the logs rolled over him.

When growing up my dad was very close to his older brother Rich and they we usually getting into some sort of mischief together.  My father enjoyed playing sports and prides himself on telling us about the good old days when they played football without helmets. Usually, one of us kids would be quick to fire back to him… “that explains a lot Dad!”.

My father came from a long line of story tellers, and he would provide us with them at random times, including family history,  dad sayings, half-truths, and downright whoppers. It is one of our most cherished gifts that we will pass down to the next generation.

Stories from the family homestead in Eureka, Montana or one of the many of his adventures racing snowmobiles or hunting in Alaska were always a hit at family gatherings.

Like the time when he was 15 and hitchhiked to Yuma, AZ looking for work where he and his brother Rich ended up in the “crowbar hotel”, for a day when Uncle Rich tried to borrow a car without asking.  The story ended well once they came clean with their names.

Dad met the love of his life, Joan while working in Seattle after an introduction from his sister Jean who was a neighbor to our Mom. Dad and Mom were married in Seattle Washington and were briefly together before dad left for two years in the Army during the Korean conflict.

When dad returned from Korea, he moved the family to Alaska during the “boom years” for work , but as Alaska became too big city over the years and too far from the lower 48 and family we returned to our roots in Montana.

Dad and Mom were happily married for 33 years, building a family and business together before Mom lost a several year battle with cancer at the age of 54. Dad never remarried and looked forward to the day when he would be with Mom again.

In a political world, my dad was not shy about his opinions, and they always came hard, fast ,and “unfiltered”.   He taught us the importance of self-reliance, standing for your beliefs and being there for your family. Family was at the center of our fathers being and his life was structured around his family bonds and his love for us never wavered.

His grandchildren took up a large part of our father’s heart. He enjoyed helping them build their school projects or watching them play sports while yelling… “ Give them the elbow!” , and he was always down for DQ blizzards after a game win or lose.

Our father gave us the precious gift of an extra year of time, and we spent that time together sharing our best memories, watching his favorite western shows, eating his favorite strawberry ice cream and watching football together.

Jim Hanson is survived by his son Steve Hanson, and children, Justin, Simone, Jeremy, and Joni.  Daughter Shawn Wagner and children, Erica, and James. Son Mike, wife Annette and grandson Jordan. Son Mathew, wife Erica, and children, Karly, Kalle, and Kasey. As well as many nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren.

A private graveside service will be held for friends and family, a “Celebration of life” gathering for Jim to be announced in the future.

Special Thanks to the staff at Brendan House Hospital for all the love and caring they provide to our Dad.

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