Douglas R. "Jack" Hansen

Douglas (Jack) R. Hansen, went to be with the Lord on Jan. 17, 2012, at the age of 92. He was born August 1919 in Emmett, Idaho. He was the son of one of Emmett's early pioneers Joseph and Dora Belle Hansen. When he was a young boy, the family moved to a ranch on Squaw Butte where they raised cattle and horses.
When he was a young child, he went to Squaw Butte Elementary School. When he was 11 years old, his mother was hit and killed by a truck which was very devastating to Doug and the rest of the family.
He worked on his father's ranch until the family moved into Emmett so the children could attend high school. He served in the Navy for over five years in Guadalcanal, South Pacific during World War II. He also was stationed on Goat Island near San Francisco, Calif.
After he was discharged from the Navy, he was trained to be a carpenter specializing in concrete work. He worked on the Hell's Canyon Dam and the Bonneville Dam among others. He helped build Butte View Elementary School and countless other buildings, sidewalks and homes. He often lent a hand to family and friends in need of help. He loved God very much and often shared his faith with others. He was looking forward to the rapture and was always asking people if they were ready if Jesus came back. He attended several local churches including Harvest Church and New Life Christian Center.
He enjoyed traveling, exploring, photography, helping someone in need, reading the Bible and going to church. He lived in the Emmett Valley his entire life except when he was in the Navy and following construction. He once said "I wouldn't want to live anywhere else." He is known for the colorful hand carved totem pole in his front yard which he carved out of a walnut tree. He was inspired by a totem pole he saw in his son, Jim's Cub Scout book.
Douglas married Lois Jarrett on Sept. 14, 1947. They made their home in Emmett and had five children. They later divorced.
In August 1997 Douglas married Opal Coder. They met while they were both working at the Gem County Senior Citizens Center.
Survivors include his wife; his children, Christopher James "Jim" Hansen of Germantown, Md., Jo Ann Jamison of Canby, Ore., Daniel Hansen of Federal Way, Wash. and David Hansen of Emmett; his sister, Ruth Holbrook; and nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
He was proceeded in death by his daughter, Connie Sue (deceased at age 1-1/2).
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan 24, 2012, at the Potter Funeral Chapel in Emmett.