Marion D Hanks

Hanks Family
Thank you for sharing your father for so long
He was a turning point to stay as an LDS person
So many of his thoughts and action are now included I wonder and I am grateful

Long ago my husband served in the British Mission under President Hanks. He had come from an abusive and mocking anti-Mormon home and had never had a model close in his life - and certainly not one like President Hanks.
We talked after the funeral, and he expressed that he didn't remember any particular interest being taken in him but that, because he worked many months in the mission home, he was just able to watch and absorb the spirit of this great man. Much healing took place. But more importantly, I feel he just "adopted"
the essence of him. Forty five years into our marriage, I am still blessed daily with the patience, kindness, wisdom, and perspective that President Hanks gifted to him, just by being near. Nothing else could have done that. There must be thousands of others.

Love to you at this time of endings and beginnings.

Dear Sister Hanks and family. We are Ernest and Lois Osborne. I've talked to you on the phone and visited you while at the nursing home. I have such a great love for President Hanks and his family. While serving as a secretary in the zone presidency in Vietnam. I could never express the many things he taught me. One was fear when he asked me to speak at conferance in DaNang, Vietnam after the plane we were in was shot by enemy fire. Thank you and your family for sharing President Marioin Dyff Hanks with all of us.

Ernie & Lois Osborne, South Jordan, Ut

Rich and Liz,
Reading this obituary, I am so sad I didn't know your father personally, but I have been so blessed to know you and your family. You are a legacy of your father and I'm sure he couldn't have been prouder of the man you have become. He was obviously a wonderful example to you all. Thank you again for allowing us to be associated with such wonderful people as you are. We grieve in your loss and rejoice for your Dad and his reunion with the Savior. We love you all and pray for your comfort at this difficult time. Thank you for all you do for us, for being great friends and neighbors.

Dear Sister Hanks and family,

You don't know me, but my name is Kaye Goodrich Parrish of Bountiful, Utah. When I was 20 years old I worked for Ernst & Whinney (now Ernst & Young) as a Tax Secretary. Our tax partner introduced me to Marion Hanks (although I already knew who he was) one day when he was in our offices receiving some tax advice.

President Hanks was told that I was waiting for a missionary and he jokingly told me that if I actually waited for my missionary he would marry us. Well, after my my missionary returned and we set our wedding date, the Tax Partner contacted President Hanks. He laughed when he found out I had actually waited and was marrying my missionary.

True to his word he sealed us in the Salt Lake Temple January 19, 1984. I respected him prior to that time, but I loved him after that. His sense of humor and willingness to make our wedding day special and eternal will always be a treasure to my husband and I. We still like telling the story to our boys and to others.

Just for your information, as a couple we have been blessed with three boys. Our oldest will complete his mission in Singapore next month. He has a full football scholarship when he returns. Our second son just graduated from high school in June and will be attending Utah State on an academic and leadership scholarship and will leave on his mission next spring. Our third son is in 9th grade.

What makes this such a miracle is that my husband and I were told we would never have children. After 7 years of marriage and countless blessings and prayers, we eventually received our miracle children. President Hanks talked of children when he married us and the promises we received were fulfilled.

Thank you for letting me share this personal experience with you. We love President Hanks and your family are in our thoughts and prayers at his passing. How blessed we are to have the knowledge that we have the opportunity to be together again.

All my love.

Dear Sister Hanks and family,
My association with all of you in the British Mission was one of the greatest experiences of my life. the lessons learned, the love shown by you all, the good times that we had, the love of the Gospel and the Book of Mormon have never been forgotten. President Hanks performed the marriage sealing of me and my wife Annette (42 years). We were blessed with 4 children and have always tried to impart many of the teachings learned while on my mission.
May the Lords comforter be with you all at this time.
With our Love, Larry & Annette Saling

Dear Sister Hanks and family,
My association with all of you in the British Mission was one of the greatest experiences of my life. the lessons learned, the love shown by you all, the good times that we had, the love of the Gospel and the Book of Mormon have never been forgotten. President Hanks performed the marriage sealing of me and my wife Annette (42 years). We were blessed with 4 children and have always tried to impart many of the teachings learned while on my mission.
May the Lords comforter be with you all at this time.
With our Love, Larry & Annette Saling

Dear Sister Hanks and Family,

Oh, how I loved this man, your husband and father, who taught through word and example what it is to be a friend of Christ. I felt honoured to be at his funeral yesterday and observe how respected and influential he was in the lives of so many who came to pay their respects and to offer their love and support to you at this sad time.

The picture on the front of the program epitomised his lifelong mission as a teacher of his beloved Scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon. Growing up in England and attending Branch, District and Stake Conferences that picture for me was so familiar and gratifying, I felt like I was back in England sitting at his feet listening to him, just like in the old days. He was an enormous Spiritual giant to us teenagers. He authored a program for reading and marking the Book of Mormon which taught me to love the book as he did. I am indebted to him for that.

I had a poor relationship with my mother but through listening to President Hanks relate personal stories of his childhood and his love for his precious mother my attidude changed as I rediscovered the many sacrifices my mother had made for me that I was too stubborn and proud to recognise.

He called my younger brother "Stinky," and praised me, even though in the middle of my redition I forgot some of the words to "Bless This House," the song I sang for the dedication of the Romford Chapel, in England. Once, the youth of our Branch performed a spoof on the new Mission President, "Clarion Panks" at a Roadshow. He laughed and accepted it all with graciousness. The boys who wrote the skit, Colin Redman and Peter Boulter were merciless and scathing in their dialogue portraying him as a villain, rather like in a melodrama, but he took it all in his stride and laughed anyway.

He will always be remembered with much love and affection by our family. In my mind's eye I can hear him still quoting and expounding the Scriptures he loved and KNEW so well with that thoughtful,commanding,rich voice of his. He was the only American whose command of the English language impressed and excited me. To a girl who was raised on Shakespeare, John Donne and other literary noteables, he added a dimension and clarity that stays with me nearly fifty years later.

I remember your kindness in taking me up to your apartments at the Mission Home in Exhibition Road, introducing me to your family, and allowing me to play a hymn on the grande piano that sat in the "Blue Room." I think I even played with Richard and Mary for a while whilst you made supper.

Thank you for the example you set of how a marriage should be. Your togetherness and love for each other and your family shines through, even now.

May God Bless each of you as you share the memories of family and friends from around the world. My love and prayers are with you.

With grateful remembrance,

Irene Hester

I always remember hearing stories about marion d from my mom and dad. Who loved him like a brother. their names were Gerald and Evelyn Alley. I also had the opportunity to meet him and will always remember the love that shone in his eyes and thinking how nice he was. I know that my parents will be happy to meet him again, in the after life. I just wish to convege my sympathy and regards to the family, it is a hard time, never to be able to have him near you in this life but thankfully, with the gospel looking foreward to being able to greet him on the other side is a conforting thought. my thoughts and prayers are with you. May you always remeber his teachings, and be thankful for the time you had here upon the earth with him.

I was one of the sister missionaries in Taiwan who was called to go to Thailand, and then eventually to the Philippines to work under his direction and guidance when he was the Area Authority over Asia. He had a great vision of service, and instructed us to "serve with no strings attached" to those souls who were hungry, poor, and in need. He was a born teacher in every sense, and to sit with our scriptures and to learn about service, mercy, charity, and Christlike living from him was one of the great blessings of my life. I have been trying in earnest all these years to live as he taught us--to love and serve our brothers and sisters, whether they be of a different faith, socio-economic level, or any other difference. He had a vision that service would turn the heads of those who did not understand our faith, and he was right. I saw it happen in Asia, and many, many times in these last three decades. He sealed my husband and I 27 years ago. I hope I can again someday sit in his "heavenly classroom." May his teachings and example continue on. With great love and respect to his family, and dear Maxine,

I was one of the sister missionaries who was called from Taiwan to go to the refugee camps in Thailand, and then later to the Philippines. Elder Hanks was the the General Authority over all of Asia at that time. I was surprised to have my mission changed, but gained a testimony of his approach to "serve with no strings attached" to the Southeast Asian refugees. He taught us that although none of them were members of the church, we needed to feed the hungry and poor because that is what the Savior would do. It was truly one of the most wonderful experiences of my lifetime to listen to him teach us about charity, mercy, love, and service, and then to go and implement what we had been taught. We loved he and Sister Hanks dearly, and tried to bring about his vision. I have been trying to do and teach it since then. It is my great hope that someday I can again be taught by him in "heavenly classrooms." He married by husband and I 27 years ago. May we all try to be more loving, kind, Christlike, as we were taught so well by him. With much love and respect,

Dear Sister Hanks and Family:

I served under President Hanks as a missionary beginning in October of 1963, I believe for approximately 6 months till his release as mission president.
I'm probably reiterating what many have said but he certainly was and has been a great influence in my life more than I'll probably ever know. He taught a young, green Elder much.

Thank you so much for him.

Sincerely,
Reeve M. Butler

Sister Hanks & Family,

"He taught how friendship first began, to be a friend, first be a man . . . " A quote learned long ago at the feet of a great teacher, a loving father and husband, a life long friend, Duff! One of my sons this evening indicated he would like to attend the funeral with my wife Judy and I, not because he knew the President very well (although married to his wife by him) but because Duff was in many ways a surrogate father to me as my dad passed away when I was in my mid-twenties. Your loved one was, indeed, the man I respected most in addition to my father. Duff combined and combines positional authority with ethical, intellectual and spiritual depth that I have found in no other during my journey thus far on this earth.

As was painfully evident, the real Duff left us some time ago but is now fully himself and waiting to be reunited with loved ones on his and our ongoing journeys. May you gain strength and comfort from that conviction which we share.

Your devoted friends,
W. David and Judy Rossiter

To Maxinne and Family:

What a privilege was the time that I got the blessing and opportunity, to meet with Duff,your Beloved Husband an a extraordinary Father, a lot of memories come in this hour or sadness, everyday (5 days per week) I had the privilege to serve him and the moments when he shared his soul and teachings with this humble servant, was a very touching experience be with him in activities, play bingo every Saturday , and enjoy his beauty smile, was a gift coming from the heaven, always I will remember his great sense of humor, the laughs, and his advices, his stories, especially when Maxine and him were celebrating another year of anniversary, when i ask him: What is your secret for a successful marriage, he laughs and later said to me, just three things, no secrets, living the gospel every minute, and serve to another.... I will miss you so much my friend Duff, thanks for your friendship and advices all the time....... (Luis Torrico Caregiver)

Dear Sister Hanks and Family,

I'll never forget my association with all of you in the British Mission in London England. The lessons of life will last forever and the fun times we had with your family are a treasure. President Hanks taught me so much.

May our Heavenly Father assuage your grief and leave you only with memories of sweet past associations.

I remember we always sang "God Be With You" when someone left the mission home. I know He will be with you at this very hard time.

Lots of love,
Pam (Sister Parrish) Barton

Sister Hanks & Family: I will be eternally grateful to Pres. Hanks for the great Lessons Of Life he taught me along with a great love and testimony of our Savior while on my mission. He gave me purpose and direction that has lasted throughout my life. Thank you Hanks family for sharing him with me and all the other missionaries.

Love Curtis Kindred

My father first met Elder Hanks when he was a missionary in London and they remained life-long friends. My memory of Elder Hanks is that he was kind, humble, cared for others, loved the gospel, and overall an amazing human being. In our lives we may be blessed to come in contact with people who are extraordinary and Elder Hanks was just that....extraordinary.

Mary, I don't know if you remember me, but I knew you at BYU. I always have remembered you so fondly (and I remember cleaning your Frye boots!). Your dad was such a great human being. I pray the Spirit will comfort you in the upcoming weeks and years. Best to you. Gordon Wilson (Tom's brother) [email protected]

Dear Sister Hanks and family,

Please accept our heartfelt condolences concerning the passing away of Elder Hanks. The dedicated influence of a loving husband, father, and patriarch is a significant matter.

Elder Hanks lived the life worth living, as an exemplar servant of the Lord. Elder Hanks will be greatly missed by many people.

May the Lord's blessings of comforting solace, continual peace, and abiding love sustain you and your family members during this difficult time of mourning. May you and your family walk the path of bereavement with an enduring eternal perspective of the happy family reunion to come in a far brighter place.

Sincerely,

Clyde and Amelia Triptow

Dear Sister Hanks and Family:
President Hanks' passing left an empty place in our hearts, even though Nancy and I know that he is in a place where he no longer needs to suffer.
You may not realize how much the last four months of my mission to England (you and President Hanks' first four months) so profoundly affected all of the rest of my life. I came away from that experience with a new understanding about how I wanted to live the rest of my life.
I had the opportunity to work with him almost every day, and he taught me so much about true leadership and discipleship. I still have and refer to the notes I took in those early morning study classes he held with the mission office staff, and I cherish the memory of several trips where I accompanied him to speak at church meetings as well as in non-church venues.

I also appreciated interacting with you and your children during those months. You and they made me feel like a part of your family, and I still have memories of the wails of 2-1/2 year old Richard occasionally drifting up to the floor where the office elders lived, along with the times when I took the older kids to school. Those four months were a most special time for me and a great learning time.
We appreciate now living so close to you, and look forward to enjoying your company in the years to come. After everything settles down, Nancy and I would like to come over and visit with you and reminisce further.

With love, Jerry and Nancy Pulsipher (Holladay, UT)

He was a most beloved friend, mentor, teacher and exemplar. I served with Elder Hanks in London and I, especially, loved the speaking engagements at other missions that I attended with he and Mark E.Peterson. He was never at a loss for a kind word and loving embrace and it was my joy to visit, often, with Maxine and his children. He built my testimony and my soul. I loved him. He is much missed.
James A. Bent, Kent England and Gilbert, AZ.

Dear Sister Hanks and Family: My experiences with Elder Hanks as the Executive Director of the Priesthood Dept and chairman of the Military Relations Committee were some of the most memorable of my life. Elder Hanks was a dear friend, bold leader, trusted adviser and one who constantly worked hand in hand with our
Lord and His servants to fulfill the purposes of bringing others to Christ. I will always treasure my service with him. May the Lord bless all of you to press on valiantly in his memory. J. Paul Jensen (Thayne, WY)

Brother Hanks sealed by husband and I in the Salt Lake Temple back in November of 1985. His advice has made an impact on our lives. May the Lord comfort your family during this time.

Dear Sister Hanks, Susan, and family,
I am tremendously grateful to have been among those to have met your dear husband and father, and to have been deeply and forever touched by his kindness, his love for our Savior and his earthly service. His influence and testimony are among the foundational stones that strengthened a fairly new convert's life profoundly in the early 1970s. That rippling effect of his unquestionable knowledge has brought tremendous blessings into my own life and the lives of my family.

I know the Comforter will continue to buoy your family at this sad time, but know our family's prayers are among those with you at this time. We love and appreciate you for sharing with this generation your wonderful husband and father !

From reading the guest book, it is clear that Marion Hanks created wonderful ripples in the world around him. As someone who has felt one of those ripples from working with his grandson, please accept my condolences and appreciation for Mr. Hanks' life and impact.

As I recall, elder Hanks was Pres. of the Salt Lake Temple at the time my husband and I were married, in 1983. I've read many accounts about and stories by elder Hanks, and it is true that he was a man of God. The world is in a famine for more men like him. I know his family is rejoicing in their knowledge that life goes on beyond this vale that we call mortality and families are eternal.

To the dear Hanks Family,

You have been an inspiration to me for the last 5 1/2 years in dedication to your husband and father. I will greatly miss your family each Sunday. Thank you for always being willing to perform musical numbers whenever I asked you. The meetings just won't be the same.

Elder Hanks served so many for so many years. I was privileged to serve him and your family in some very small way. Thank you for that opportunity. I will greatly miss Elder Hanks wonderful voice when music was played. I would always listen for his humming.

Plus I also appreciate his many talks and wise counsel he gave over the years. I will also never forget him coming into the Salt Lake Temple cafeteria and helping serve food to the stakes when they came for a session and they held dinners many years ago. (I don't think they do that anymore.) I was on-call to help with these dinners. It totally amazed me that the temple president and a general authority would take his time to come to the cafeteria and mingle with the servers. And he enjoyed it!

Thank you again. Your family is wonderful! Take care. We love you and will miss you all.

Dave Maughan has often spoken of his grandfather. I am sure that his presence in Dave's life provided him with a great role model to emulate. Please accept my heartfelt condolences for your loss.

6:00 am seminary, Duff Hanks, wonderful memories. He was such a great teacher and friend. A true disciple; giving, giving. Example of love, love, love. Thanks Hanks family.

Dear Sister Hanks and Family,
As I learned of Pesident Hanks passing today my heart filled and thoughts of great times and personal time spent with President Hanks the blessing of being taught by one of Gods best was the privledge I remember and those teachings have guided my life and that of my family and as those teachings are discussed my wife reminds us all that she made a great sacrifice when he left the insitute at the UofU to become the British Mission President.
Thanks again for the example you and Duff have been in our lives.
I know that he will serve on the highest councils in Heaven.
God Bless and keep you in the palm of His hand.
Love,
Ted & Terry Rees

I remember listening to Elder Hanks on LP records in firesides when a teenager in the Canyon Rim Ward in the late 1950's. He married me and my wife in the Salt Lake Temple in 1966. When working in security
at Church Headquarters in Salt Lake he talked with and shared counsel with me.
I learned to love him deeply. I look forward to a sweet reunion when I am called home!
Lamont Heaps

I was saddened at the death of Bro. Hanks. He lived such a good life and was a wonderful example to many young people. I was in his seminary class at West High School. I was the president of our class. He helped me alot and I had great love for him and for his talks in conference that I looked forward to and enjoyed.
J. Earl Bone

Elder Hanks set my husband apart as a missionary in October,1969. (I was the girlfriend who waited.) We still remember the twenty minutes or so that we spent with him in his office and the beautiful blessing he gave a young nervous missionary. We have talked about that experience often because my husband's mission has been the spiritual foundation of our marriage and service in the Church. We have always had a special place in our hearts for Elder Hanks. We express to you our love and sympathy at this time.

Dear Sis Hanks and Family,

We were saddenned to hear of the loss of a man who impacted and changed the lives of so many including me. We first met more than 50 years ago whilst you were serving as President and Mother of the British Mission in London and what a great influence he was on my life and the lives of so many of my peers.
During a visit to Romford Branch (now a Stake) in the Laurie Hall, an old cinema, he dubbed me 'stinky' following a minor accident with a sacrament tray but still shared his great love as always.
How well I remember his "Today is the first day of the rest of your lives" address at the all British youth convention in Morecambe. His messages and his life were a great example to all and we shall be eternally grateful for these.
May God Bless you and your family for sharing this wonderful man with us and to feel his comfort at this difficult time.
David & Eileen Hester Lancashire England

I would like to extend to the Hank’s family my sincere condolences and prayers of support at this time with the passing of Elder Marion Duff Hanks. I have looked up to Duff Hanks as an example to follow since I was a young boy growing up in the 19th Ward in the Salt Lake Stake. His home ward growing up was my home ward and the times we had chance to talk together at brief times we could share memories of growing up in the same neighborhoods’. He knew my family and would share memories of them.
When playing marbles’ at Washington Elementary School we boy’s knew of his record as a champion player which egged us young boys on to try and become as proficient as he had been when he was our age. It was after his return from WWII that I became most aware of him as a member of the 19th Ward basket ball team which won the over all church championship in 1947 and of his years teaching seminary at West High school.
Growing up as a youth often times I would go down to Temple Square in hopes to get in on a tour to which he was the guide just to hear and feel his testimony of the gospel. He was the general authority who interviewed and set me apart as a missionary. When returning from my mission I chose to attend the U of U because I decided if he and Pres David O McKay went there to study it would be alright for me to do so also.
I enjoyed attending and being taught the gospel by him in the many Institute of Religion classes he taught at the U of U. His conference talks were always inspirational for me and thought provoking. HE SEEMED ALWAYS TO SPEAK FROM THE HEART TO MY HEART. When I married He was the one who preformed the marriage sealing in the SL Temple.
I always looked forward to hearing his testimony at general conference when he spoke for I could feel his testimony and humble spirit. Many chartable acts were done by him without fanfare or recognition. I am grateful for his presence in my life time for the honorable man he was. May the Lords sweetest blessing be with you, his family, at this time and may the Peace of the Savior abide in your home at this time of sadness.

Gary C Merritt

Dear Hanks Family

I grew up listening to Elder Hanks. He was one of my favorite conference speakers. His spirit floated through the air waves and touched many hearts and inspired many lives. What a wonderful legacy he has left us all. Thank you for sharing him with the world!

Love and sympathy.

Mary K. Hammond

I remember when Elder Hanks invited me to come to SLC form graduate school in California to talk to regional representatives about LDSSA. He was so kind, supportive and reassuring. I was nervous. No, I was scared to talk about and answer questions about the new LDSSA program. I guess I did ok because he asked that some of the comments be aired at general conference.

He was a hero for us and always challenged us to be our best and aim higher than we thought possible. It worked for most us and we thank him for his inspiration, friendship and love.

Dear Maxine, I have such vivid memories of being in your home when you and Duff were a young couple raising your girls. I remember once when Nancy had done something that displeased you. Duff didn't reprimand her but took her into his study for a father talk. His voice was gentle and and I never heard any harsh word. That episode was an example for me all my life. I was especially grateful for your hospitality when I was in college and you let my roommate, Maurine, and I stay with you on weekends if we would baby sit for a while. It was our privilege to do so. But my two most fondest memories of Duff were first: when he introduced Janet and I to President David O.McKay back stage in the Tabernacle and second, later when Duff arranged seats so my roommate and I could attend conference in the old Tabernacle. It is so sad that I moved so far away and our paths did not cross often as adults. I grieve with you for the loss of you husband and other family members you have recently lost. My Love to you. Carol Christensen Steed

My heart goes out to you at this time and in the days ahead.

Dear Maxine and Family,

As you must know, we love you all so much and share with you the loss of your dear companion and father.

Every memory we have of his influence on our lives will continue to light the way we should go and the way we should be.

The Thompson Family,
Bob and Donna,
Duff and Sharleen,
&
Libbie and Jim

I attended institute classes taught by Elder Hanks in the late sixties. That was a long time ago, but the lessons I learned there have sustained and guided me at many dark times. Wanted to add my appreciation to y’all for sharing your husband and father with so many.

As young teenager growing up in a very troubled family, Elder Hanks saved my life through his inspired remarks of counsel and direction. Because of him, I have tried to live a faith-filled, purposeful life.

Later, as he presided over the Military Relations Committee of the Church he became a mentor and friend helping me with a number of decisions I would make during and after my time as an Army chaplain.

Elder Hanks changed the course of my life more than once. I am very grateful to have known him. I am blessed to have been counseled by him. I am eternally indebted to him.

A wonderful gentle giant, we were blessed to have known him.

Dear Hanks family,
As a young boy in the 50: and 60's I always looked forward to hearing the remarks of your father. He was one of my favorites speakers of the General Authorities in that he was able to speak on our level with mortivating force using great stories and personal examples. He will be fondly missed by all.
John L. Johnson Fair Oaks, CA.

Liz and i chose elder Hanks, a friend of both of our fathers --Ken yeates / Rick Warner-- to perform our sealing in the SL Temple. He admonsihed us to always welcome the Home teachers to our home and when needed, always be forst to cross the room and say: I am sorry,"

He unselfishly provided inspriational material from his voluminous archives to Dad when he was to prepare and deliver talks as stake President of a U of U Student Stake.

He ased Dad to try and make a tennis player of Richard-- who chose GOLF!

He took time to teach our newly called missionary sons/ grandsons how to study the Book of Mormon.

He lifted us in so may ways...

Love,

Warners

Dear Sister Hanks--We have been greatly blessed by the example and teaching of Elder Hanks. Elder Hanks performed our marriage almost 37 years ago. His loving counsel was grounded in the ordinances and covenants we had made in the temple. It has been a inspiration to us ever since.

John and Susan (Winder) Tanner--Brazil São Paulo South Mission

To Duff's family,
It was five years ago, when my father who had a room just down the hall from Duff passed away. I have many memories of walking the halls and following you as you served him. I know the trials and the joys that you are experiencing. My hope is that you will receive the peace that our Heavenly Father sends, and know of His love for you.

Dear Susan Paul and family, I was sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. He was a larger than life champion; someone I always admired. He has left an exceptional legacy in all of you; and with his good work and words. A great man.
Shelley Robinson

Dear Mary and Chris Clifford--We send our love and prayers to you at this time. We celebrate the life of your father with you. His loving and sincere remarks at our temple sealing have been a lasting strength for our eternal marriage. He has been a wonderful example for us. We always looked forward to his talks at conference. We would tell our children that he was the one who performed our sealing. We love you and look forward to seeing you again soon.

Elder and Sister Bain--Tonga Nuku'alofa Mission

So sad to hear of Elder Hanks' passing. He is one of the most generous and loving men I have ever met. Many thoughts and prayers for you all at this difficult time.

Much love,

To Maxine & Family~ I am so sorry for your loss. I know there are no words to bring comfort or ease your greif. You are a remarkable family, you have been so loving and devoted to your eternal companion & father. Thank you forsharing him with me> I am priveledged and honored to know him and you his family. Take comfort that he is free of his body & mind,nut most of all he is suroiunded by Gods Glory.Tammi Nielson

Dear Ann and Family,
Please know that you are all in a lot of people's thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Elder Hanks was always one of my favorite speakers and I truly admired him. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Sister Hanks and family, Condolances from Hong Kong. Elder Hanks provided great service in Asia. I as a young missionary, like many others, was blessed by his service. He touched untold lives for good.

Dear Sister Hanks: We are sorry to hear the passing away of Elder Hanks. I met Elder Hanks in India while he visited the Saints. He held a fireside in my home in India. He will be recognized for his great faith, leadership and kindness. My wife and children will miss him greatly. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We send our love and support. Elder Hanks is a great soul.

Daniel and Padma Shanthakumar, Sandy, Utah.

Dear Sister Hanks and family, We send our love and sympathy at the passing of this great man and good friend. How often we have reminisced about the very memorable times we shared with you all at Aspen Grove through several years. How we enjoyed the visits to your cabin with your beach along the creek, the volleyball games, firesides, and other activities. We appreciate so very much the great impact these Aspen Grove weeks with you have made upon our family. We love you all. Ross and Anita Farnsworth and family

To the Hanks family,
Im sorry for the loss of Duff. He truely was an amazing man. His spirit was so special, he truely was a man of God. Thank you for the opportunity to work with Duff. It is a priviledge. Your in our thoughts and prayers. Aubry Paxman (Silverado nurse)

Maxine and Family - My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time! So grateful for the knowledge of the gospel that we will see him again! So thankful for the opportunity to get to know such an amazing family! I admire your devotion and love to Duff. It was great to see the family support that he received! You are a great family and were blessed to have him in your lives. So glad that "Families are Forever!" Love to you all - Alissa (nurse at Silverado)

When I went to West High School Brother Hanks was my seninary teacher. He was working at the temple as a guide. He had his picture in the newspaper a lot of times and was so proud of himself, he would bring the paper in to show us. We all loved our class and Brother Hanks. He explained the Book of Morman so us young students could understand better than anyone could. Each time I pick up my old copy I think of him. Right from the teacher in High School us kids in his class knew he would become a great man of God. I love Brother Hanks and thanks to God and his family for sharing him for the three years in high school. One of many students Clara Buhler

Dear Sister Hanks, Susan, Nancy, Ann, Mary, and Richard, and all who belong to you, we send you our love and prayers.

Elder Hanks was a dear friend to our family, as all of you still are. How blessed we are to have lived in his shadow and yours.

Words fail and space is limited but heaven knows, as do we, the service rendered to the Cannons over the years--blessings, counsel, temporal help, inspiration, mourning with those that mourn, to name just a few.

Along with the rest of the Church we mourn your father's passing and look back with deep appreciation to the things he taught in precept, on paper, and by example. The wonderfully written obituary describes some of that.

Our mourning is mixed with deep appreciation, and even joy, that we lived in a time when such a man walked and taught.

With love, Holly Cannon Metcalf (and the remaining and deceased Cannons)

Elder Hanks was always a favorite speaker of mine (and nearly every other young person). But,his great teaching style and spirit contributed greatly to the direction of my life when I luckily enrolled in his BOM class at the UofU in 1961 when I was struggling to make the right decision regarding a mission. I was being confused and torn by an Antropology atheist professor across the street and my Patriarchal Blessing warned me to give equal time to things in the Spirit in my 'pursuit of my education'...With that warning I enrolled in Elder Hanks class and have never looked back...I shudder to think what might have been without that weekly Institute class...He was truly a hero to so many of us.

I was blessed to first meet Elder Hanks after giving a prayer in the Northwestern States Mission as a deacon, and then joining him as a new Seventy for his last meeting with the Seventy as he entered Emeritus status. I join many whose lives have been blessed by this exceptional brother and eternal friend, and say "thank you" to Maxine and their family who have shared him so generously with us all. I look forward to future times serving again with him.

V. Dallas Merrell

Dear Sister Hanks and Family!

Our hearts are full of gratitude for the few opportunities we have had to cross paths with Elder Hanks. With his passing the world and the Church have lost a valiant and steady servant. You both have influenced so many people around the world.

Elder Hanks' example was ever present. Years ago, before I was a general authority, I attended a Jazz game. Elder Hanks sat a couple of rows in front and a little to the left of where I sat. I think I watched him as much as the game. Even amidst the excitement of competition, he sat serenely and absolutely in control of his emotions. I have never forgotten this example and it has served me well many times.

May the Lord bless you abundantly for your service to all of us.

Elder and Sister Dennis B. Neuenschwander

Marion was a friend of my parents and not long after my father had passed away, we saw him while shopping at the ZCMI mall. My mother and Marion engaged in conversation as my young children gleefully watched a battery operated pink pig. Marion walked to the display, talked to us for while and then bought one of them and handed it to us as we parted. That was in 1988, my children played with it many times, we still have it. The simple gesture of kindness so many years ago has not been forgotten and has been paid forward over and over. My deepest sympathy to all of you at the passing of such a spectacular man.

I recall that some sixty years ago Elder Hanks spoke in stake conference held at the old Wasatch Stake Tabernacle in Heber City, UT. I was a young boy at the time but vividly recall Elder Hanks speaking of his experiences while serving in the U. S. Navy. Although I don't recall the specifics of his talk, his manner of delivery and his strong testimony have stayed with me all these years later. We have lost a great example. Elder Hanks not only served the Lord, but was always in the service of his fellowman.

Dear Sister Hanks and Family,
I rejoice with you in our knowledge of the Plan of Happiness which President Hanks taught so beautifully and to so many. I have been keenly blessed as so many others in having known him. My prayers and deepest sympathy are with you.