Arthur H. Hanson

Arthur H. Hanson

Arthur H. Hanson, 96, reunited with his wife, Sue, in heaven on June 9.

Art was born to Henry and Alma Hanson in Washington DC in 1925 where his dad was stationed with the Navy. The family shortly thereafter moved to Miami, where Art spent the rest of his childhood, joined by his younger brother, Henry.

Art joined the US Navy as a signalman shortly after graduating from Miami Senior High School in 1942 (yes, he had just turned 17). He spent his WWII years in the Naval Armed Guard, serving 32 months of sea duty in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. Upon discharge, he enrolled in the University of Florida, taking a leisurely five years to complete his bachelor's degree and obtain a US Air Force commission.

During his first assignment, he was fortunate to snag Sue Gray as his bride, sending them on an 18-year trek to England, New Mexico, Germany, Wyoming and Guam before retiring to Melbourne, FL in 1970. Along the way, two kids (Art Jr. and Ann) joined them to round out the family.

In Melbourne Art worked for the city water department, earning a well-deserved retirement in 1995. He joined Palmdale Presbyterian Church, the VFW, Elks, Shriners and several other organizations to stay active and do charitable and church work, especially after Sue died in 1986. In 2004, after Hurricane Frances blew through Brevard County, Art moved into Buena Vida Estates for the last phase of his life. The recreation director there said Art for many years didn't have time to attend their functions, as he was too busy with his outside interests, including writing his autobiography, "Life as Art."

Art leaves behind son Art (Jeanne) of Cocoa Beach, daughter Ann (Charlotte) of Honolulu, grandson Gray (Rachel) of Houston, and a whole host of friends. A memorial for Art will be held at Buena Vida Estates at 2pm on Tuesday, June 15. Art will join Sue at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery later that week.