George Daniel Hanson, 88, of Sheridan, WY passed away Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Sheridan Memorial Hospital. His family was by his side.

George was born an only child to George and Kate Hanson on May 28, 1937, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Deer Lodge, MT. George spent his early years on the family ranch in Helmville, MT., just fifty miles North of Deer Lodge. His days were full. They were typical for a young boy. He milked cows, fed pigs and chickens. Years later, George confessed to mischievous deeds which involved harassing the chickens rather than feeding them. Go figure. His greatest joy was riding on the hay wagon with his dad; and “off-loading hay to the cows.” He also enjoyed sledding down the ranch's “big hill” on his toboggan.

In 1945, George’s family moved to Deer Lodge, where he attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School. George was a student at St. Joseph’s, Kindergarten through Eighth grade. There he served as an altar boy. For the rest of George’s education, he attended public school. As a high school student, George enjoyed basketball and softball, always the sports enthusiast. On Sunday mornings, George drove his mom to Mass, using the family pick up.

George had a real interest in cars, engines, and anything fast, and his dad knew it. So, George did what any young man would do. He took early leave from high school and joined the United States Air Force. On February 8, 1956, George enlisted with the Butte, MT. recruiting office. Years later, George earned his G.E.D., and graduated from Western South Dakota Vo-Tech.

As a young man, the Air Force was an adventure. George saw the world. He served at air bases in Guam, Okinawa, the Philippines, Hahn (Germany), and Tripoli (Libya). George did three tours in Vietnam during peacetime. Later he recalled one tour in which he left the base and six hours later, the enemy flew strikes against them. George served at Phu Cat Air Base in Thailand 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1972. He also completed two six- month tours at Takhi Airbase and an added one-year tour in Thailand. George was a mechanic for the USAF. He specialized in air conditioning, liquid oxygen, and pressurization. He worked on B 36, B 50, B 52, B 57, and F 1-11 airplanes. Between the Korean and Vietnam War George worked on a weather recon unit in Guam. He also had the privilege of collaborating with pilots, as a member of a Typhoon squadron. B 50 airplanes flew into the eye of the storm to collect wind speed data. The information gathered predicted future storms and their velocity. In 1956, George served at Ellsworth AFB in Rapid City, SD. There he met a young car hop at the J & L Drive Inn. Her name was Dorothy. She was as spirited as he was. They were long-time sweethearts and made it official in 1966. George and Dorothy were married thirty years. The last five and half years of their marriage, George cared for Dorothy as she battled ovarian cancer. Years later, George said, “She was the love of my life.”

George discharged from the Air Force on February 29, 1976. After several deployments, it was time to move his family. George moved Dorothy back to her hometown of Rapid City. He would find other work and so he did. George Drove for Barber Transportation and worked for Cornella Refrigeration Service. George found long-time employment and satisfaction with the Rapid City School District. There he worked on the maintenance and custodial night crew at West Junior High. He made lifelong friends and eventually retired after twenty years of service.

George loved the outdoors, and he shared his enthusiasm for the outdoors with his family. There were camping trips; national park trips, hunting, fishing, target shooting, hiking, and berry picking. George enjoyed taking his family snowmobiling and dirt bike riding. The stories and antics are infamous. George tied long ropes behind the snowmobiles and attached large inner tubes to them. Next came the dirt bikes and eventually, racing. George was a proud supporter of his kids, and the Hanson Racing Team was born. Life was always exciting with George at the helm.

George loved his kids. However, no one could hold a candle to George’s grandkids. He loved them fiercely. He went to basketball, football, and soccer games. George was their biggest fan and was bold enough to share his opinions with referees. He went to school and church programs, birthday parties, graduations, and graduation parties. He was a “taste tester” and preferred his granddaughter’s baking to others. George made hot chocolate for them when they visited. His grandchildren loved his backyard and the creek. George enjoyed their laughter and playing with them.

Much can be said of George. He was a “tinkerer.” There was always something needing fixed, whether it needed to or not. He was known for his garage and his tools. George had a gadget for everything. When he was not in his garage, George was in the yard. He gardened like nobody’s business. George had a shed, storage under the garage and a gun room. Often, George was hard to find. If he was not in one of his playrooms, he was off helping a neighbor or friend “tinker.”

Later in life, George was found scooting around with his “buggy.” He was often called hell on wheels. George lived in Sheridan for seven and a half years. Most of that time George lived at Cascades of Sugarland Ridge, Assisted Living. Cascades was his home, where he made wonderful friends. George will be remembered as a loyal friend, caretaker and a man of faith.

George was a life member of the American Legion Post 311, Disabled Veterans Association and The Retired Enlisted Association.

George is survived by his daughter Mary Kay (Jeff) Tomlinson, grandchildren Katie and Rater; his son Dan (Allison) Hanson, and grandchildren Elizabeth and Bennett. George is preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Ann (Slattery) Hanson, and parents, George and Kate (Geary) Hanson.

Funeral services are Friday, October 31, 2025, at Holy Name Catholic Church beginning with a Rosary at 2:30 P.M. and a Mass at 3:00 P.M.; light reception to follow. Graveside Services are Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Mount Calvary Cemetery; Rapid City, SD at 11:00 A.M.; luncheon to follow at American Legion Post 311, 101 Pine Street, Piedmont, SD.

Champion Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with local arrangements.

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