HANN, FRED M. Fred M. Hann, born January 29, 1938, died June 10, 2014 in Antelope Valley Hospital following a lengthy illness due to a massive stroke in December 2013. Fred was known throughout the community to co-workers and his many friends as a God-fearing man of integrity and genuine concern for his family, friends and community. He was born in Gary, Indiana to parents Mabel and Ralph Hann, the youngest of eight children. He had great stories to tell of his five older sisters, and one older brother, making Fred 'the darling baby boy' of the family. The Hanns left Indiana for California and a healthier climate for his mother in 1949, and to the Antelope Valley to become chicken ranchers in 1952. Fred entered A. V. High School as a freshman in 1952, and after graduation four years later, joined the work force following his attendance at A. V. College. Fred became a Deputy Sheriff, but nine months later he followed his true calling as a firefighter-paramedic where he served with true joy in his chosen profession at Fire Station 33 until his retirement from his final duties as a Fire Prevention Inspector. A good part of his career included his duties as an advisory and guardian firefighter on movie sets during filming on locations throughout the Antelope Valley and environs. This frequently included getting up at 3 or 4 a.m. to be at the weird desert movie locations and be on the set when filming began. He truly loved this work, and throughout the many years he did this, met most of the stars and superstars, and collected their photographs personally autographed to Fred. Fred worked on the committee to incorporate Lancaster, and when the city was finally established in 1977, he ran for a seat on the City Council as 'Freddie the Friendly Firefighter.' He was the second highest vote-getter, next to his very good friend Stan Kleiner who came in first and became the City's first mayor. Fred was Lancaster's Mayor from 1980-1981 and 1986-1987. Fred served his community in many capacities. Raising his children, Fred was active in the Boy Scouts, Little League and Bobby Sox softball. He was a deacon in Faith Bible Church and also could often be found on a ladder doing necessary repairs or helping with grounds upkeep. Civically he was a member of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, the Western Hotel Society, the Lancaster Beautiful Committee, the Aero Museum, and High Desert Civilian/Military Affairs Council to name but a few. Fred served on the Lancaster City Councils that formed and funded the Lancaster Performing Arts Center and the Lancaster Museum and Art Gallery. He was very proud to have helped build the Olympic-sized swimming pool at the then Eastside Park. Most recently he joined the efforts to form a Rural Historical Museum on the Fairgrounds. His favorite most recent endeavor was establishing the old Route 6 as an historical route and served as its Executive Director of Southern California. Fred is survived by Betty, his wife of 40 years; two sisters, Joy Ramsey of Yuba City, Calif., and Marjorie Hutchins of Lake Worth, Fla.; children, Gregory Hann, Brian Hann, Jennifer Hesselgesser, Amy Zezulka-Hann; stepsons, Gregory and Darren Penfield; two loving daugthters-in-law, Kim and Kelly; ten grandchildren, Velva Foster, Weston Penfield, Tyler Penfield, Elizabeth Zezulka, Marianne Zezulka, Alex Hann, Jessica Penfield, Justin Penfield, and twin granddaughters, Amy and Christina Hesselgesser. Viewing will be held from 3 to 8 pm, Thursday, June 19, 2014 at Joshua Memorial Park. Services will be held at 11 am, Friday, June 20, 2014 at Lancaster Baptist Church on 40th Street East, with the L.A. County Fire Dept. and Pastor Paul Dennis officiating. In lieu of floral tributes a contribution can be made in Fred's name to: Alicia Ann Ruch Burn Foundation, 2501 W. Burbank Blvd., Ste. 201, Burbank, CA 91505 818-249-2230.
Arrangements under the direction of Joshua Memorial Park Mortuary, Lancaster, CA.
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