David Hanson Sr.

William David Hanson was born on May 14, 1931 in Texarkana, Texas to Jeff Davis Hanson and Margaret Thompson Hanson. David grew up in Texarkana and went to Texarkana High School. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. On December 21, 1957, David married the love of his life, Patsy Lou “Patti” Stovall in Palestine, Texas, and to this union, two sons were born.

During his youth, David developed a lifelong passion for baseball and later played in a variety of semi-pro baseball leagues in and around the Houston area. After his boys were born, David Jr. and Doug, his passion for the game was redirected towards coaching them and developing their athletic ability. He was a highly respected youth baseball coach, winning the Pasadena, TX city-wide championship in 1967. Later that year, he and Patti move to Katy where he carried on his winning ways, securing several more league championships in Katy Little League. All of the games back then were played on the old Little League field where Heritage Park sits today.

Besides sports, David loved spending time with his two boys in a variety of other ways. Every weekend you could find David with the boys close behind as they worked in the yard, washed cars, helped friends with various repairs, or help Miss Patti at The Flower Shoppe. He was an avid and dedicated Katy Tiger fan, especially when his boys and grandchildren were involved in sports and other activities at Katy Jr. High and Katy High school. David was always there to back his children and grandchildren, and to say he never missed a game would be an understatement because he seldom even missed a practice!

David worked at Sears & Roebuck for 40 years, starting out as a stock boy in the parts department before being drafted and serving in the Korean Conflict. When he returned from war in 1953, David worked his way up at Sears to become a field service technician and ultimately the division service manager at the Park-10 location. During his time as division manager, the Park-10 location became one of the most respected service facilities in all of Sears Roebuck & Co. It was the last Sears service location to close in the south. 

Throughout his life, David was regarded as an expert at fixing just about anything. His nephew Mitch referred to Uncle David as “The Original YouTube”. He could not only fix it, he could show you how to do it yourself. He had a tireless curiosity and loved taking things apart and putting them back together so he could learn how all the pieces worked together. He was forever helping out a neighbor or a friend who had a broken washing machine, air conditioner, water heater, lawn mower, dishwasher or ice maker, but his favorite thing to work on had to be his cars.  He had a true passion for automobiles, and you would be hard pressed to find something he could not fix on them. He loved working on cars so much his son Doug says he can remember dad working on cars even when there wasn’t anything wrong with them!  

A devoted and longtime member of the Fry Road Church of Christ, David was a strong Christian man who was dedicated to serving the Lord, caring for his family and helping out a neighbor, a friend or co-worker. 

Above all, David loved his family and was tremendously proud of his sons and his grandchildren. He had a nickname for all of them, which added to his charm and connection. He was the world greatest grandfather, especially to his grandson, Austin. David devoted countless hours to nurturing and helping Austin, his best “Buddy”, through many challenging milestones in life and was most proud to see him become such an independent, strong, kind and capable young man.

 William David Hanson passed away on Sunday, April 26, 2020 at his home in Katy, Texas, just three weeks shy of his 89^th birthday. David dearly loved the Katy community, a place he has called home for the past 52 years.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Patti Hanson of Katy, who he affectionately referred to as “Sweet & Low”; his son, Doug Hanson (Booge) and his wife Helen (Pretty Lady) of Katy; daughter-in-law, Belinda Hillhouse (Mrs. B) of Katy; his beloved grandchildren, Kelsie (Princess Kelkie) & Jimmy Mitchell of Chattanooga, TN, Cale Hanson (Cale-Man) of Chicago, IL, Clay Hanson (Happy Scrappy) of Tampa, FL, Kara Hanson (Kara-Boo Pebbles) of High Point, NC, and Austin Hanson (Buddy) of Katy, his great-grandson James Mitchell (Little Man) of Chattanooga, TN; as well as many other loving family members and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his son, William David Hanson, Jr. (Bones) in 2005; his parents, Jeff and Margaret Thompson Hanson; and by two brothers, Webster Hanson and James Hanson.

The family will receive friends in a unique drive-by, social distancing visitation from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2020 at the Schmidt Funeral Home East Avenue Chapel, in Katy.  Guest will be asked to remain in their vehicles as they pay their respects to the family.  Funeral services with limited attendance will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 1, 2020 at the Schmidt Funeral Home East Avenue Chapel, in Katy, with  Mr. David Flatt, and Rev. Wayne Fancher officiating.  Interment in Katy Magnolia Cemetery.  The funeral service will be live streamed from David’s webpage at www.SchmidtFuneralHome.net.

Pallbearers will be Doug Hanson, Austin Hanson, Cale Hanson, Clay Hanson, Tucker Stovall, Mike Fralick, Mitch Fralick, and Blake Phillips.

Honorary pallbearers will be Kenneth Yeager and all of David’s Co-Workers at Sears, Gary Lewis and Andy Lewis.

Those wishing to make memorial gifts may do so to the Wolf Pack, c/o Schmidt Funeral Home, 1508 East Avenue, Katy, Texas 77493 or to The Arc of Katy, P.O. Box 6133, Katy, Texas 77491.

To express condolences, please visit www.SchmidtFuneralHome.net

Funeral services held under the direction of

Schmidt Funeral Home

1508 East Avenue  ~  Katy, Texas  77493  ~  (281) 391-2424