George Loyd Hanson

George Loyd "Buddy" Hanson, 81, of Amherst died peacefully on August 21, 2013. Born March 13, 1932, in Lynchburg, he was the son of the late John Loyd and Virginia Scott Hanson. A veteran of the United States Army, George earned his BA from the Richmond Professional Institute of The College of William and Mary (now VCU) and his Masters Degree in Education from the University of Virginia. George began his career as a teacher and guidance counselor in Chesterfield County in 1959. As a member of the first faculty at Meadowbrook High School, he taught social studies and served as a guidance counselor. He moved to Amherst County in 1976 and was a guidance counselor at Nelson County High School until his retirement. His golden rule as a counselor was always listen, but never judge. In retirement, George loved being at his home in the mountains, going to the Outer Banks, attending concerts and theatre throughout the commonwealth and in Washington, D.C., and supporting the Academy of Music Theatre. His love of the Academy dates to his preteen years when, on Saturdays, he would go to the venerable institution to see western movies and cowboy stage shows. His hope was to be in the first audience when the theatre was restored to its former glory. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Richard Roberts of Virginia Beach; his sister Doris Sutherland of Lynchburg; nieces Catherine Dodge and Helen Roberts of Virginia Beach; niece Caroline Darby and her husband, Patrick, of Birmingham, Alabama; niece Mary Scott Sutherland Dias and her husband, Robert, of Woodbridge; nephew John Sutherland and his wife, Susan, of Baltimore, Maryland; niece Laura Sutherland and her husband, William Van Doren, of Charlottesville; three great nieces, Helen Catherine Darby, Sydney Sutherland, and Grace Sutherland; five great nephews, Patrick Darby, John Darby, Andrew Roberts, Richard Dodge, and Edward Sutherland; and two cousins, Phyllis Baber and Lillian Allen. A memorial service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, August 25, 2013 at Whitten Monelison Chapel with Dr. Robert A. Wilson officiating. Following the service, the family will host a reception for family and friends at the Academy of Fine Arts, 600 Main St., Lynchburg, VA. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Academy of Fine Arts, 600 Main Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504.