JD Hanson

On Saturday, May 29, 2021, JD Hanson peacefully passed into the arms of our Lord.  JD was born November 2, 1934 to Parrish Hanson and Alice Harper Hanson in Big Spring, Texas.  He spent his childhood in Eastland, Texas, and graduated from Eastland High School in 1955.  JD was a multi-sport athlete lettering in basketball, football, and track.  His love of sports took him to Ranger Jr. College in Ranger, Texas where he played half-back on the football team, and was a hurdler on the track team.  He then attended McMurry University where he continued to participate in sports.  JD set new records during his athletic career in low and high hurdles.  JD attended Texas A & M University where he obtained his vocational certification, which led him to his love of teaching.  JD married Sandy Davis Hodge and together, they raised and enjoyed their four girls.

A humble beginning fostered JD’s powerful work ethic and his first job in high school was given to him by his good friend and mentor Don Pearson, who owned the Cadillac Oldsmobile Dealership in Eastland.  In college, he worked for Bill Hanson Trucking in Big Spring, Texas.  Upon exiting college, he worked as a deputy for the Odessa Sheriff’s Department, then became a motorcycle patrolman for the Midland Police Department.  In addition to law enforcement, he spent time as a ranch hand at Circle Bar Ranch, and as a welder on the Alaskan Pipeline.  He was an educator for 25 years in Ector County Independent School District, where he was a welding teacher and taught pre-law enforcement at Odessa High School.  One of his lifetime passions was being a farrier.  Many of his most beloved relationships came from the connections he built with the horses and clients he cared for.

While raising his family in Greenwood, JD served two terms as a trustee of the school board.  He was a longtime member of Greenwood Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School and sang in the choir.  Following a move from Greenwood to Midland in 1990, JD and Sandy moved their membership to First Baptist where they continued to worship until his passing. JD spent his free time supporting his girls in their many passions and hobbies that ranged from rodeo, to theater.  He established the Midland County High School Rodeo Team and loved his time being a judge at rodeos.  Later in life, he enjoyed watching his grandchildren pursue their passions of music, ministry, theater, and sports.  And in the last few years, you would rarely see him without his beloved pup, Mia.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Parrish Hanson, Alice Harper Hanson; Sisters Lenora (Lee) Nix, Myrel Ford and Mary Helen Bott; and three brothers, Bill Hanson, Jack Hanson, and Bobby Sam Hanson.

Left to cherish JD’s memories are his wife Sandy Hanson of Midland; four daughters and their spouses, Janet Flippin and husband Monty Flippin of Granbury, Texas; Traci McFadden and husband Michael McFadden of Monroe, Georgia; Shelly Byard and fiancé Gary Snokhous of Midland, Texas, and Amber Crumpler and husband Rob Crumpler of Midland, Texas.  He was loved by his grandchildren Lindsey Raines Lumpkin and husband Eric, Ross Raines and wife Audra, Sarah McFadden, Jacob McFadden, Anna Cate McFadden, Joshua Byard and wife Jauscelyn, Justin Byard, and Noah Crumpler, along with two great grandchildren Zeke Raines and Aria Raines.  JD is also survived by one precious sister, Pauline Whatley.  He will be missed by his family and friends.

The family will receive guests from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, June 3, 2021 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.  Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, June 4, 2021 at First Baptist Church Chapel.  Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Midland.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com