Roy. O. Hanson
Roy O. Hanson, 64, succumbed to a valiant six-year battle with cancer in his sleep during the early morning hours of Nov. 11, 2010.
Roy was born to Delbert F. and Leola (Broadbent) Hanson on Aug. 22, 1946, in Missoula, Mont. He grew up on a ranch on Finlay Creek, south of Arlee. He graduated from Arlee High School in 1964. He graduated from Western Montana College in Dillon in 1968, with teaching majors in mathematics and history. For two years, he taught at Rosebud High School. Roy took a year off to attend a computer school in Denver, Colo., after which he returned to Dillon and began a Masters program in education. He was hired in 1971 to teach mathematics and physical education in Plains, where he also coached in the track and football programs.
In 1971, he met Benita (Jo) McNeeley, also a Plains High School teacher, and they married in June 1972, beginning a 38-year partnership in life.
In 1981, he resumed his teaching career at Plains, teaching primarily math as well as some physics classes and an occasional history class. He helped to develop the advanced placement mathematics program for the high school. He was so proud of all of his students who strived to be the best they could be. He gave freely of his time before and after school to teach special classes for which there might have been a need. He prided himself in being fair and providing every student the opportunity to do his or her very best. He was the assistant girls basketball coach and assistant track coach for many years. He was awarded the Gold Star Award, having been nominated by his students for that recognition.
In 2000, he retired after a 25-year teaching career and became a general contractor, working even after having received the cancer diagnosis, to do projects for people. Older folks for whom he built steps began referring to the shorter rise in the steps, which made them easier to use, as “Hanson Steps.” His attention to detail and accuracy was well known.
In addition to his wife, Jo, and his two feline friends, whom he resuced, he is survived by his brother Robert (Reta) Hanson of Plains, sister-in-law Joan Hanson of Charlo, nieces and nephews Mark (Lois) Hanson of Hudson, Aaron (Maxine) Hanson, Della (Dan) Dougherty, Denise (Lee) Montgomery of Charlo, Leslie (Ed) Heppe of Superior, Calvin (Candy) Hanson of Spokane, Trinna (Kevin) Anderson of Battle Lake, Minn., Tammy (Gary) Mantei of Missoula, Michael (Kimberly) Sears of Talkeetna, A.K., Cindy (Dave)Amspoker of Kingman, Ariz., and Michael Bolton of Prescott Valley, Ariz. He is also survived by many close friends who were so dear to his heart. He was preceded in death by his parents Delbert and Leola Hanson, his brother, Delbert Hanson Jr., and his sister, Sally Roth.
Graveside services will be held at the Plains Cemetary on Thurs., Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. with Pastors Roy Williams and Gary Kelley officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Network of Sanders County, PO Box 1311, Plains, Mont. 59859.