Donald Ray Hanson

Donald Ray Hanson of Fort Collins died Saturday, March 26 of a sudden heart attack. He was 65 years old. He was born on September 22, 1945, in Peoria Illinois. Don graduated high school in Galesburg, Illinois and immediately moved to Colorado where he worked as a trail ride wrangler in Estes Park. Shortly thereafter, his family moved to Fort Collins and he rejoined them to study art briefly at Colorado State University. He enlisted in the US Air Force, serving as a military policeman in Okinawa and an illustrator / graphics artist in North Carolina. In his free time he was a talented painter of landscapes.
His true passion, however, was music. Don had a booming bass voice with very wide range, and he quickly found his outlet in SPEBSQSA -- better known as barbershop harmony. For the rest of his life he sang in various local barbershop quartets, choruses, and church choirs. After his Air Force duty, Don returned to Fort Collins and CSU where he became involved in the Aggie Haylofters square dance club. Once again, his voice soon raised him to be "caller" for the exhibition dance team. While at CSU he acquired a degree in Industrial Arts Education. Don was an entrepreneur in many ventures, leading to his broad range of skills. He knew a little about a lot, and could build or fix just about anything. The majority of his work was in construction: from rough framing to fine finish carpentry, he could do it all.
He was an active church member at Peak Community Church, and most recently at Life Church of Fort Collins. He was a member of multiple small groups. At church and in the community, Don was a friend to many and loved by all. Don is preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Hanson and father, Howard Hanson both of Fort Collins. He is survived by a son, Michael David Hanson of Albuquerque New Mexico; a daughter, Andrea Lynn Hanson of Sidney, Nebraska; a brother, Lloyd Hanson of Loxahatchee Florida; and a brother, Milan Hanson of Fort Collins. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday at Life Church of Fort Collins, 1501 Academy Court, Fort Collins. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Life Church of Fort Collins in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort collins, Colorado 80524 to continue the Lord's work to which Don was dedicated.