Vernon Hanson

Vernon Lee Hanson, also known as “Vern” to his many friends, was born, to Virgil and Loris Hanson in their home at 1521 Searle Street in Des Moines, Iowa on January 26, 1941. This wondrous event occurred on the dining room table, thus began his extraordinary life. He had one sibling, a younger sister, Carol Hanson. Vernon lived the majority of his youth in Des Moines, Iowa, except for a two year period when his parents moved the family to Harlingen, Texas when Vernon was in elementary school. They then moved back to Des Moines.

While growing up Vernon was fun loving and adventurous. He enjoyed dancing, ice skating and music. Let it be known that his Elvis Presley impersonations were unrivaled.

Vernon attended East Des Moines High School, but he added his own personal curriculum to his HS portfolio. In September 1957, when Vernon was a HS Junior, he met Mary Alice Hartley who was a senior attending Des Moines Technical HS. Always setting his standards high, Vernon chose to pursue a relationship with Mary even though she was an upper class-man in the HS world. Next to Vernon’s decision to make Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior of his life, loving Mary was the best decision he ever made. All of Vernon’s family, I know, agrees with this.

Vernon and Mary were married on November 22, 1958. Vernon was still a senior in HS and Mary was attending business college. Their parents agreed that they could get married as long as Vernon finished HS. Family stories are always interesting. The family story goes that some days after the wedding, Virgil, Vernon’s father, went to the newly weds apartment and woke Vernon up and made him go to school. He did graduate in May 1959. Parents will always be parents.

Vernon’s long & happy marriage of 61 years and 9 months to Mary, has been blessed with 6 SWEET children, 18 BEAUTIFUL grandchildren and 24 PRECIOUS great grandchildren.

He loved his family and will always be remembered as a great son, brother, husband and father who was devoted too, and provided for his family. He was a man of God who gave his time, energy, and all he had to bless others.

Vernon was industrious. As a young man he worked first as a shoe salesman but found he liked to create, build and work with his hands more. He held positions as a welder/steel fabricator, carpenter, bridge builder, and manufacturer. His last position he held for 19 years and retired from was EXXON Corporation as an offshore operator. He was always proud of his work with EXXON and of his camaraderie with his co-workers.

Vernon considered Bishop, Texas his home from 1981 to the present.

Vernon’s second family was the congregation of First Baptist Church, Bishop, Texas. There he served with love and passion in various ministries and held many positions including, Deacon, Sunday School and Bible Study Teacher. He also served with The Gideons International speaking and providing Bibles to others. Vernon loved to sing and lead others in worship hymns and songs to JESUS. This brought him great joy.

His fun loving, happy, caring and compassionate life will always be remembered and missed.

Vernon you will always be loved.

Those loved by Vernon who preceded him in death were his parents Virgil and Loris Hanson, his sister Carol Hanson, his parents-in-law Ivan and Mary Hartley and son-in-law Ric Lumbard, and granddaughter Tamara Hernandez.

Vernon is survived by his loving family members who are honoring and celebrating his life today. These are his wife Mary Alice Hanson; his children and their spouses; Craig and Kathy Hanson; Keith and Suzanne Hanson; Kathy and Michael Gilman; Christie Lumbard; Charlotte and Brent Stevens; and Kevin and Paula Hanson; 17 grandchildren; and 24 great grandchildren.

By the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, may the legacy of God’s man, Vernon Lee Hanson continue for generations to come.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2020 at 2:00 pm at First Baptist Church in Bishop, Texas. A funeral service will be held that same afternoon at 3:00 pm with a interment to follow at Restland Cemetery in Bishop, Texas.

Services are entrusted to Turcotte-Piper Mortuary, 205 General Cavazos Blvd. Kingsville, Texas 78363.