Harold "Harry" Hanson III, 83, of Waynesboro went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at his home. Born October 24, 1937, he was the son of the late Harold Hanson Sr. and Elsie Beatrice (Andrews) Hanson. Born in Atlanta, Georgia while his father was on a work assignment there, he was primarily raised in Massachusetts.
Upon graduation from Waltham High School, Waltham, Massachusetts in 1955, he joined the U. S. Air Force where he was trained as an electronics technician. His service time culminated at Dobbins AFB, Marietta, Georgia, just outside of Atlanta. Returning to the place of his birth led to his marriage to Rebecca Adina Mann, whom he met on a blind date in April 1958. They were wed on July 5, 1958 and were blessed by God with a loving marriage and partnership for more than 63 years.
After completion of his tour with the U. S. Air Force, he began his career with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at the Atlanta Airport, where he was employed maintaining FAA navigational aids. After earning a BA in Business Administration at Georgia State University in Atlanta he was chosen for a management position at the Golden Triangle Airport in Columbus, Mississippi. While in Columbus in 1973 he was selected for a Government fellowship to a mid-level management development program at the University of Virginia, School of Government and Foreign Affairs. In 1976 he graduated from UVA with an MA in Public Administration. Subsequently, during his time at FAA Headquarter in Washington he held executive positions in economic and policy analysis offices.
He and his wife always enjoyed meeting new people and entertaining them in their home. While residing in the Northern Virginia, Annapolis, MD and Kent Island areas for a number of years, he and his wife were involved in the International Visitors Service and the Friendship Force entertaining visitors from all around the world. In addition, they helped start 3 new churches; one in Northern Virginia, one on Kent Island and the latest, after their joint retirements, as charter members of Tabernacle Presbyterian (PCA) in Waynesboro, Virginia where they have remained members for the past 20 years.
After retirement to the Shenandoah Valley Harold rediscovered a love of photography. As he and his wife hiked the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah Valley he began to develop a collection of macro images of the often-overlooked smaller wildflowers. Wanting to share this beauty, he launched a website, “Considering the Lilies.” Most recently he published a Kindle book with his wife, “Still Considering the Lilies.,” to guide other hikers to the beautiful flora of the local area.
Besides his beloved wife, survivors include: son, Eric Eugene Hanson of Staunton, VA; daughter, Kathy Lynn Hanson and grandson, Zachary S. Wolfrey of Annapolis, MD; sister-in-law, JoAnn Mann Wilson of Lexington, VA; and brother-in-law, Roger Mann of Thomaston, GA.
A memorial service will be held at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, in Waynesboro on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. followed by a reception in the fellowship hall where relatives and friends may share memories and condolences with the family.
In lieu of flowers please make donations in Harold’s name to the Mercy or Mission Funds of Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, 1301 Redtop Orchard Rd., Waynesboro, VA 22980.
