Harry L Hanson Jr.

Harry L Hanson Jr

05/19/1933  -  10/03/2013

Harry Lawrence Hanson, Jr. completed his incredible eighty year earthly journey on October 3, 2013.  He was born in Rhame, North Dakota on May 19, 1933, the fifth of eleven children, to Harry Lawrence Hanson, Sr. and Alma Tesnes.  Harry was drafted into the Army during the Korean War and he credited military service and his wife, Lavonda Harper, for changing his life for the better.  Harry worked for J. C. Penney and was a true entrepreneur eventually starting his own department store, Big V, in Mt. Pleasant, UT.  He also owned a variety store, convenience store, campground, and car wash in Green River, UT, where he also served as Mayor.

Harry loved his country and continued to serve in the Air Force Reserve, working his way up the ranks, eventually retiring as a Chief Master Sargent after 30 plus years. He served actively during Desert Storm and held leadership positions in the VFW, American Legion, and Mt. Pleasant Senior Citizens.

Harry was a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  He had a firm testimony and served faithfully in many positions, including in the Manti Temple, which he loved.

Harry was charismatic and people were always drawn to him.  He accepted everyone and he always made eye contact with everyone in the room, giving them a wave, a wink, a nod, a kind word, or a funny comment, even in his last days.

Harry was well read and could talk intelligently about any subject.  He knew how everything worked and how to fix it.  He loved music, whistling, finding a good bargain, investing in the stock market, and new technology.

He was a very charitable person who was always an advocate for those less fortunate.  He truly believed he was blessed so he could help others.  Harry was a man of integrity and was never afraid to stand up against any one or any thing that didn’t square with right.  Harry loved spending time with his family and created many memories traveling with them, spending time at Lake Powell, attending football games and playing board games.  He was always there and indeed, was the life of the party.

Harry is survived by his wife, Lavonda, children, Kathy (Clark) Knudsen, Lehi, UT, Larry (Camille) Hanson, Stansbury Park, UT, and Nancy (Tony) Johnson, Salt Lake City, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.  In death he will be joining his parents, a daughter Pamela Banasky and two grandchildren.  Funeral services will be held Tues Oct 8, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in the Mt. Pleasant North Stake Center (461 N 300 W) in Mount Pleasant, UT. Friends may call Monday from 6-8 p.m. at Rasmussen Mortuary and Tues from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment at Larkin Sunset Garden Cemetery, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 S), Sandy, UT at 3:00 p.m.

Special thanks to Home Care Assistants and A+ Hospice for their care and compassion, to his many friends and relatives for their calls, visits, notes, and kind words of support.

To honor Harry’s memory, please do something kind to help someone in need or brighten their day.

Chief, you will be forever in our hearts!