Jon Hanson

Jon M Hanson, age 84, passed away Aug 31st 2021 at Wellbridge Of Fenton following complications from a hip fracture.  Jon was predeceased by his beloved wife of 60 years Mary in January of 2018.  Jon was born in Croswell Michigan to Milton and Betty Hanson.  He attended Croswell High where he was class president and a gifted athlete and earned a two year basketball scholarship to Port Huron Community College to begin his academic career.

Jon earned his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University, and his Masters degree from Eastern Michigan.  He was a diehard Spartan fan and was happy that 3 of his children and 5 of his grandchildren followed in his footsteps and also attended MSU.

Jon began his career teaching in public schools as a science teacher and athletic director.  Upon completion of his masters degree, he became a teacher and Director of College Placement at Detroit Country Day School (DCDS) in Birmingham.  Jon also coached numerous sports teams at DCDS including golf, basketball, and football.  During his 30 year tenure at DCDS, he was proud to say that the school grew from 50 male students when he started to a coed student population of 250.   He also served as President of the Michigan Association for College Admission Counseling.

Jon was a natural born storyteller with an excellent memory and he loved to regale his family with stories of life experiences.  One of his favorites was when he was one of forty four science teachers nationwide awarded a US Federal Education grant to study in California.  He liked to tell his family he spent 3 months in 120 degree temperatures in the deserts around San Diego, stayed up all night observing the stars at Mount Palomar, and crawling in dark caves researching bat species while his young family vacationed in balmy San Diego.  Of course in reality, he loved and cherished the knowledge he acquired during this program.

Jon was proud, supportive, honest, dependable and independent.  He also loved to get hugs, especially from his grandchildren.  His primary goal in life was always to support and provide for his family. He enjoyed fishing and his favorite pastime in later life was to watch MSU football and basketball as well as the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Lions. Jon and Mary also enjoyed attending their grandchildren’s many sporting activities.

Jon leaves behind his daughter Karen (Rick Stokes), three sons Dan (Jeanne), Dave (Mary) and Paul (Diedra) and his 9 cherished grandchildren Brendan, Cole, Kory, Derek, Jade, Jordan, Mykala, Nicole, Ryan, and Taylor.

On recent visits with his family, he would recall how when he came to Wellbridge there were only 3 dead leaves on a tree outside his room window and would say “look at all the beautiful green trees and leaves!”  Jon, a person seemingly always in control, decided to exit this life on his terms without any remorse or regrets before the return of autumn and the possibility of looking at 3 dead leaves for another Winter.

A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held 2-5 PM Sunday, September 26, 2021 at Spring Meadow Country Club, 1129 Ripley Road, Linden.  Arrangements are under the direction of Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 Silver Lake Road, Fenton.