Jerry Wayne Hanson

Jerry Wayne Hanson passed away on December 13th 2015 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, Wa. He was 67 years old. Jerry is preceded in death by his father Archie Hanson, his mother Solveig Hanson and his brother David Hanson. Jerry was born in Spokane, Wa on May 13th 1948 to Archie and Solveig Hanson. He grew up in the Hillyard area and graduated from Rogers High School in 1967. He went on to attend Spokane Community College to pursue an accounting degree. As a boy, Jerry often spent his summers on his Uncle Wilmer’s and Aunt Clara’s farm in North Dakota. Working on their farm and riding horses. In 1967, while he was still in high school, Jerry began working at Perfection Tire. He started out in the shop “busting” tires and eventually transitioned to the accounting side of things. Jerry said he got his flair for doing “the books” from his mother, who showed him how to manage the household bills at a young age. Jerry continued his career with Perfection right up to his death (48yrs!), forming many lifelong friendships. In 1973 (-1984) Jerry married Linda Cornett and became a dad to her two children David and Amy and in 1975 his daughter Sara Solvei was born. Many summers were spent with his family camping or going to the lake. Some of his favorite spots were at Loon and Long lake, where he perfected his masterful waterskiing skills, and sometimes water wasn’t even required (barefoot down a sand dune!). It was during these summers that he taught both David and Amy how to ski. Throughout his life, Jerry spent countless hours hunting and fishing. Whether he was sitting in a duck blind, tracking a deer or casting from a boat, he loved the outdoors. Some of his fondest memories and favorite stories were from hunting and fishing trips he took with his buddies. One trip in particular, was a fishing trip he took with his brother Dave on the Hoh river fishing for salmon. Jerry also enjoyed playing pinochle, especially with his sister Bette and his brother Dave. They often found themselves playing all night and into the wee hours of the morning. Jerry was a good dancer. During his marriage to Linda they were known to enter dance competitions and even sometimes win (70’s Disco!). Jerry painted and played the piano, often joking about how his mother “made” him take lessons. He continued playing throughout his life, often teaching himself new songs or making up his own. When the mood was right, The Yellow Rose of Texas was one of his favorites to play (AP). He had a favorite saying, “Don’t shoot the piano player, I’m doing the best I can”. Jerry’s teams were the Mariners and the Seahawks (GO HAWKS!). He liked Nascar and golf (both watching and playing). He was also a huge fan of horseracing, especially the Derby! He loved to bet the ponies and very often it was a family affair. He got excited about “mistake” bets (said they’re good luck) and sloppy tracks and liked to place “family” bets. He started taking his daughter Sara to Playfair when she was very young and taught her how to read a racing form before she was 10. “Jerry’s favorite show for 200, Alex”. What is ….Jeopardy! Jerry loved Jeopardy and all things trivia. Everyone always knew where to find him at 7 o’clock, at home watching Jeopardy of course! He often joked that he was the “Resident Genius” and even had business cards in his wallet officially making him a “Card Carrying Genius”. But Jerry’s greatest happiness came in 2007 when his daughter and son-in-law moved back to Spokane bringing his grandchildren Katie and Jack closer to him (then just 5 and 1yrs old). Jerry always had a special bond and close relationship with his daughter Sara and that lived on through the times he spent with “his” Katie (aka Occasionally George) and Jack (The Jackster). He spent countless patient hours talking and playing with them. He even created an “Official Teasing License” that he carried with him to let them know all the things grandpas are allowed to do. He loved to watch Katie perform on stage and would spend hours talking to Jack on the phone (even though they saw each other all the time). He had even devised a way for them to play cards over the phone! He made sure he was present for every milestone, every moment. His greatest joy was being their “Grampa”. He loved them with all that he had and it is a love that they will feel for always. Jerry is survived by his daughter Sara (Ross) Hawkinson and his grandchildren Katie and Jack; his son David (Tish) Cornett and grandchildren Zachary, Hope, Naomi, Joel and Daniel; his daughter Amy (Andre) Puseman and grandchildren Taylor, Dakota, and McKenna; his sister Bette (Fred) Keen, stepbrother Al (Joyce) Keen; his nephew Tim Hanson and niece Heather Hanson. Jerry was a special man. He was uncomplicated and led a humble life. He never had a bad word to say about anyone. He was a man of his word and would help out anyone that needed it. Once you were a part of his life, that was it, he never forgot you. He loved his family. He was an amazing dad to all three of his kids and a doting grandpa. Hearts are broken now that he is gone, but his memory will live on, in his children and his grandchildren forever. Please join us for Jerry’s service being held on Saturday January 9th 2016 at 1pm at Riplinger Funeral Home located at 4305 N Division St in Spokane, Wa. At a later date a marker will be placed in his honor at Fairmount Cemetery in Spokane,Wa. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Children’s Academy at the Spokane Civic Theater located at 1020 N Howard St Spokane, Wa 99205. This is a place Jerry spent a lot of time at watching his granddaughter Katie. A donation would help give other grandpas a chance to watch their own grandchildren perform.