Paul John Hanson, Jr passed into the arms of our Lord, Jesus Christ, on Nov. 15, 2022, at the age of 91. He was married to Joan Eileen Steele for 68 years. He was a loving father to David Michael (Barbara), Thomas Wayne (Shirilana), Daniel Paul (Lisa), Mary Lynn (Joe) McGinley, John Edmund (Angela), Joseph Allen (Barbara), Catherine Joan (Steve) McFarland-Powers, and Christopher Lee (Cindi), grandfather to 33, great-grandfather to 33, and great-great- grandfather to 2 (a total of 108 descendants including spouses) and friend to many. He is survived by his sister, Elinor Deming (Burton). His parents Paul John Hanson, Sr and Emma Anderson and son-in-law, Michael McFarland preceded him in death.
He was born in Oakland, and is a graduate of the University of Nebraska as an Architectural Engineer. He was a United States Air Force veteran stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska. After serving the country, he worked as a structural and civil engineer until he retired in St. Louis, Mo. He loved to travel, to enjoy ice cream, to play tricks on his grandchildren (who knew him as Pestpa), and to serve as Santa Claus at Christmas Eve Mass bringing a blanket to the baby Jesus in the manger at St. Francis Xavier College Church.
He showed all who knew him how to be a loving, caring, gentle person. He was an amazing father and we will continue to emulate him in our lives. He will be missed.
