Derrick Kent Hanson

Entered by Ken Hanson, Dec 2008)

I'm going to enter some of my thoughts and memories of Derrick. I remember a Christmas; it may have even been the Christmas before he left us, when I drove over to the Bass Lake Hanson House. There's Derrick, out front, in the cold, stringing Christmas lights on a little tree out front of the house. He had such a happy go lucky attitude toward life.

He taught me to listen to R.E.M. Now that my son Luke and his wife Rachael live in Athens, GA where REM came from, I think of him every time I go to Athens!

And he loved "skinnin' rats!" His Dad made him skin muskrats one winter to earn some extra money. Now, how many of us have experience with our father telling us to get out to the garage to skin muskrats?!?!

And lest I forget, the antelope hunting trip to Montana! Derrick and I drove to a new spot and then hiked to the top of a butte. As we stood there on the south side of the butte, we realized there were holes all around us. SNAKES!! And it was about 70 degrees that day, so we started back to the truck. As we walked along, literally, I was about to step on a rattlesnake! Derrick told me later on that he had never seen anyone walking and immediately go backwards when all momentum was forward!! As we approached the truck, a length of about 100 yards of tall grass stood between us and the truck. We ran as fast as we could, stepping high all the way to the truck!!! What a riot!!!

(Received from Patty Maxwell, Dec 29, 2008, posted by Ken Hanson)

I do not know how many of you know this about Derrick. He LOVED their family Christmas tree! I can see his face as it would light up when he knew that it was time to put up their family Christmas tree for another Hanson family Christmas. Every year when I put up my tree; in my heart I know that Derrick is loving every moment when I am lovingly putting each set of lights on the branches and then the finishing touches with each ornament carefully wrapped from the previous Christmas. I know in my heart that Derrick is with us and loving us through all the special family gatherings. Derrick had such a heart for his family. I always saw something special in his face that I could never quite explain. Now, though years have passed, Derrick is part of our lives each time we are together and even in times we cannot be together. Each year when you put up your Christmas tree and begin to decorate it; please remember how much Derrick loved his family Christmas tree and know that he is seeing you enjoying decorating your special family tree. Bev and Dennis have always had the most unique Christmas trees. I always loved to see their tree decorated with the lovely, specially chosen ornaments. I always called their tree a Theme Tree because it did have a theme-very woodsy, very homey and very lovely. This poem is for each of us so that we remember how much Derrick loved their family Christmas Tree. I love you, Derrick. Merry Christmas! Love from Aunt Patty

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, of all the trees most lovely

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, of all the trees most lovely

Each year you bring to me delight, meaning in the Christmas night

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, of all the trees most lovely.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, with faithful leaves unchanging

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, with faithful leaves unchanging

Your boughs are green, in summer's glow and do not fade in winter's snow

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, with faithful leaves unchanging.

Each year you bring to me delight, meaning in the Christmas night

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, of all the trees most lovely.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, DERRICK!