Bradley Gene Hanson

Bradley Gene Hanson, age 60, of Fort Worth Texas passed away June 10th, 2016 peacefully at home after a valiant battle with gallbladder cancer.

Brad, the son of the late Albert and Lorene (Dahl) Hanson, was born June 16th, 1955 in Grafton, North Dakota. He was baptized at the Dahl family farm and confirmed at Grafton Lutheran.

Brad grew up spending many summers playing on his grandparents’ farm near Argyle, Minnesota. As a precocious child, he found fun and amusement in most anything he did. That love of life and refusal to grow up followed him into adult life. The Eternal Peter Pan.

Brad began his education in his home town of Auburn, North Dakota and followed his mother, a school teacher, to Hoople, and St Thomas graduating in 1973 from Grafton high school. He continued his education at UND while working summers for Burlington Northern (maintenance and ways gang) alongside his father. He eventually began full time with the railroad.

In 1978 he met with an unfortunate accident that crushed his leg resulting in over a year of recovery. That unwavering spirit that embodied Brad helped him to relearn how to walk and he never let his injury stop him from enjoying life. Determined to continue with Burlington Northern, he took computer classes and was transferred to Madill Oklahoma as a depot agent.

In January 1988, thanks to his sister, LaVonne, Brad met the love of his life, Dee. It was a true love story, unparalleled love at first sight. They met and three days later he asked her and son, Steven, to marry him. Six weeks later, on March 5th, they were married in Las Vegas with family and friends. They shared 28 years of a life filled with love and adventure. Brad always said that anything good in his life was thanks to Dee. They enjoyed country western dancing, concerts, travel, riding, lake time, family and friends. Brad was always good at making an average day an adventure.

Brad, Dee and Steven moved to Fort Worth, Texas in August 1988 when he transferred to the mailroom of Burlington Northern at the Continental Plaza. He eventually transitioned into information technology and after 38 years of service he retired on June 18th, 2015, as a consulting systems engineer I. He was truly a dedicated employee with high morals and outstanding work ethic always giving 110%. His co-workers said that his love for life, good humor and upbeat personality was contagious. Everyone that came in contact with him wanted to be around him.

His zest for life included a love for riding dirt bikes. He went on countless riding trips to Lake Texoma and Marshall Creek (among other places) with his son and riding buddies. He also enjoyed teaching many people such as his niece and nephew to ride dirt bikes. He was an avid dart player for 20+ years, belonged to many teams and even won the 2010 City dart tournament. He introduced the game of darts to so many and has influenced so many lives.

Brad was most known for his passion for riding his Harley motorcycle. From 1995 to 2015, every August, his and Dee's vacation time was spent in Sturgis, South Dakota. Meeting up with cousin Ed, Shara and in later years, Rick, was a staple. They were called the Troublesome 5 and he was always excited every year to spend time with the people he loved, doing what he loved...riding!

Brad was very dedicated to his family He loved being a dad and most recently his role of Papa. He loved visiting his nieces and nephews, playing card games and telling stories. His family meant the world to him.

He is survived by his wife Delores of Fort Worth, Texas; son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Christy of Fort Worth, Texas; grandchildren, Ethan, Hannah and Brooklyn; brother, Jack Hanson of Hoople, North Dakota; sister, Lavonne Hanson-Heilner (Jon) of Mesa, AZ; and many wonderful nieces and nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, great-nephew, several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Funeral services will be Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 11:30 A.M. at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Landstad Cemetery of Auburn, ND.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the early detection, treatment and or cure of gallbladder cancer in memory of Brad Hanson. Donations can be sent to: National Cancer Institute, Building 31 Room 11A-16, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892. Research Designation: "Gallbladder Cancer"