Raymond Hanson, Jr.

Raymond A. Hanson, Jr., son of the late Raymond I. Hanson and Charlotte E. (Cotta) Hanson Johnson, was born July 26, 1942 in Bloomington, Minnesota where he grew up and attended school. At an early age, Ray accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour. On July 29, 1959, Ray enlisted in the United States Army and served his country faithfully until his honorable discharge in July 1965. On June 17, 1989, Ray was united in marriage to Norma Jean Anderson in Waynesville, Missouri and they shared 19 years of happiness together. After serving in the military, Ray began working with the Greyhound Bus Lines and was a faithful employee for 32 years, at which time he retired. He then began driving over the road trucks and did so for 10 years. He was always a hard worker and never thought twice when someone would ask if he could help them. In fact, a very dear friend referred to him as the Bulldozer when he helped them with a remodeling job. Ray loved all animals, but especially his two Labradors, Buddy and Ruby. He especially treasured those times that he spent with his family and friends. Ray went home to be with his Lord after a long battle with cancer at 6:29 a.m., Friday, May 15, 2009 at Phelps County Regional Hospital of Rolla, Missouri at the age of 66 years, 9 months and 19 days. Ray will be fondly remembered by his wife: Norma; six children: Justin Hanson, Kevin Shrum and wife, Shannon, Brenda Franks and husband, Tim, Michelle Meyers and husband, Dan and Megen Shrum all of Waynesville, MO and Jared Hanson, state of Minnesota; five siblings: Susan Hanson and Willard Johnson, Jr. and wife, Barbara, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Sally Bennett and husband, Jim, Brainerd, Minnesota, Sherry Kinney, Blue Springs, MO, and Linda Bender and husband, Sonny, state of Arizona; nine grandchildren: Johnathan, Zachery, Adam, Aley, Austin, Jordan, Faith, Payton and Ashly; special cousins: Don Gnerer and wife Ester and Philip Gnerer and wife Carol all of Minnesota; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by one brother-in-law, Mickey Kinney. Funeral services with military honors were held at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, May 21, 2009 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory with Rev. Danny Graves officiating. Soloist Becky Lercher sang “In the Garden”, “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Amazing Grace”. Serving as honorary escorts were Bill Anderson, Donald Gnerer, Doug Renno, Jim Bennett, Phillip Gnerer and Johnathan Ray Hanson. Military honors were provided by the Missouri Honors Team of Rolla, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Ray Hanson and may be left at Memorial Chapels and Crematory.