CDR Claude Lee Hanson, USN (Ret.)

Claude Lee Hanson was born September 18, 1937 in Coldwater, Comanche County, Kansas. Claude Lee was the son of Mr. Claude Leslie Hanson and Mrs. Elginia May Horner Hanson. Claude lived in Coldwater as a youth and attended Coldwater Public Schools where he excelled in football and track. Claude graduated high school in 1955 and went on to Kansas State College in Hays, Kansas where he graduated in 1960. It was at a young age that Claude discovered his passion for airplanes and flying with family. Claude piloted his family and friends planes in rural Kansas. Upon college graduation Claude briefly taught school in Greensburg, Kansas. In July 1961 Claude entered the U.S. Navy and entered the Aviation Officer Candidate School Program. He received orders to report to Basic Flight Training in Pensacola, Florida and then on to Advanced Flight Training in Corpus Christi, TX. He was designated a Naval Aviator in April 1963. Claude was deployed worldwide serving his country with assignments to the USS Yorktown, the USS Wasp, numerous patrol squadrons including VP-44, VT-31, Naval Air Test Center Weapons Center Testing, VP-49, and his final assignment at the Naval Research Lab where he conducted worldwide airborne scientific research. Claude reached the rank of Commander in his beloved Navy. Commander Hanson flew numerous aircraft while serving his country. Too numerous to list he is best known and proud of his time in the various models of Lockheed P-3 Orion that he piloted over the world’s oceans. CDR Hanson logged over 10,000 hours in multiple aircraft and made over 800 carrier landings before retiring in August of 1982. CDR Hanson soon found out his love of the Navy remained strong following retirement and found a way to continue his passion by teaching in the Irving ISD, Irving, Texas for 15 strong years as the NJROTC instructor. Claude retired from teaching in 1997. Claude’s recent years were spent enjoying life with his wife, children, grandchildren and friends. He enjoyed family trips to Cozumel, Mexico and reunions with his family in Kansas and old Navy buddies across the country. Claude proudly raised his flag everyday honoring the country he loved so much. It was quite appropriate that his passing occurred on Flag Day. Claude leaves behind his wife Glenda, son Claude Paul and daughter in law Andrea Hanson of Richardson, Texas; Daughter Cheryl McCloud and son in law Phillip McCloud of Tyler, Texas; Son Shawn Read and daughter in law Sarah Read of Sanger, Texas; Grandson Chris McCloud of Tyler, Texas, and Granddaughter Grace Read of Sanger, Texas. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to a charity of your choice. Visitation will be held Sunday, June 19, 2011 from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Sparkman Funeral Home in Richardson, TX. Graveside services will be held 10:00 AM, Monday, June 20, 2011 at DFW National Cemetery.