James Arthur Hanson

hospital surrounded by his family. Mr. Hanson experienced a fall on Saturday, June 15, broke his hip and had surgery on

Sunday, June 16. A few days later, he was diagnosed with pneumonia and spent several weeks in ICU. He received the

utmost care and respect by all who served him during this entire time.

Mr. Hanson is survived by his sweetheart of 70 years Noreen (Capps) Hanson and three daughters, Karen (Richard)

Madsen, Michelle (Buzz) Cleveland, and Cheryl Hanson; an unofficially adopted daughter Linda Daniel; a sister Virginia

Smith; and a nephew Peter (Mary Lois) Smith. He was blessed with eleven beautiful grandchildren, fifteen greatgrandchildren,

and many close and dear friends and associates.

Mr. Hanson was born February 12, 1921 in Los Angeles, California, the son of the late Arthur Hanson and Lucile (Low)

Hanson. He graduated from Pomona Junior College about 1941, joined the Naval Air Core and went to flight training in

Corpus Christi, Texas. He saw active duty during WWII in the Pacific theater flying PBYs with the Black Cat Squadron on

bombing, rescue, and reconnaissance missions.

Mr. Hanson was honorably discharged from his military service, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander, and

served loyally in the Naval Reserve for twenty plus years. A year ago, he was so proud to participate in a Rocky

Mountain Honor Flight to Washington DC that paid tribute to America’s war veterans.

Mr. Hanson was a professional airline pilot. He began his flying career with TWA out of Kansas. About 1949 he hired on

with Monarch Airlines, a Denver based company. They later changed their name to Frontier Airlines and it wasn’t long

before Jim became a captain. He loved to fly, and reveled in the opportunity to operate a variety of aircraft as the

company acquired more and more modern equipment. He enjoyed a rewarding 30 plus years with Frontier leaving only

when he reached the mandatory retirement age of sixty in 1981.

Mr. Hanson filled his retirement years with a wide variety of activities. He had a passion for business and served on the

boards of several Colorado based banks, helping them expand and increase in value. He also owned a leasing company

supplying equipment to businesses in the community. Through the years, he was part owner in a store in Parker, in a

motorcycle shop in Denver, in a wood working shop that specialized in commercial applications, and most recently in a

thriving steel company. At one point, he even shared ownership in a buffalo herd. He was actively involved with each

business venture and spent many happy hours working with them.

Throughout his life, Mr. Hanson participated in the Airline Pilots Association and the Retired Airline Pilots Association,

actively representing Frontier pilots on a local and national level. He was also busy with the retired military group,

organizing, leading, and participating in every way possible.

Mr. Hanson was very proud to be a card carrying member of the Coeur d’ Alene Indian tribe that anciently walked the

lands of Montana, Idaho and Washington. This honor came through his maternal grandmother.

A member of the Catholic Church since childhood, Mr. Hanson was full of curiosity and loved to learn. He was regarded

as a man with a high sense of honor and integrity. He loved people and animals alike and was always quick to help

whenever he could. He was kind, happy, and hospitable; he was a true friend to all. Mr. Hanson had an adventurous

and fulfilling life and his blessed memory will long be cherished.