Ronald Hanson Obituary
Ron served as a missionary in East Africa from 1976-2014. Before becoming a missionary, he taught high school mathematics in Washington and California. Ron loved people and embraced life as an adventure. From the moment he stepped onto the continent of Africa, he loved both the people and the continent. His life motto was: "To drive a road I have never driven, to reach people who have never heard." He lived his motto, driving thousands of miles to remote places where he shared the gospel of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Ron's love for people and his generous life have impacted people everywhere he lived.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Cliff and Laura Hanson; son, Brian; and brothers, Laurel and Gene. He is survived by his wife of sixty-eight years, Gloria; sons, Brent and Scott; their wives, Rosemarie and Karen; grandchildren, Megan, Lucas, Makenzie, and Sienna; as well as his daughter-in-love, Gloria Khaemba and her husband, Philip, and their daughters, Hope and Blessed.
Ron's Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date, at Central Assembly of God located on North Booneville in Springfield, Missouri. The service will be livestreamed online for those who cannot attend. Ron will be laid to rest in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in Ron's memory to Assemblies of God World Mission, 1445 N Boonville Ave, Springfield, MO 65803 (Account 251525; Project # 15216). All donations will be used by the Journey University ministry in Nairobi, Kenya.
Arrangements are under the compassionate direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home North in Springfield, Missouri.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
Carolyne A. Opinde
February 25, 2025
Dear Babu,
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to transforming the lives of young people at I Choose Life Africa and The Journey ministries at the University of Nairobi and beyond.
You had the gift of lighting up every room you walked in. You had a way of making people feel special. We all used to look forward to Fridays when you and Mama Gloria would join us at The Journey at Ufungamano House.
I remember when you heard that my Dad has passed away, you and Mama Gloria helped me go through grief, loss and healing.
On several occasions when I was on duty serving at The Journey, you and Mama Gloria would wait on me while I cleaned up the tea urns and then invite me to dinner.
I will never forget how you continuously encouraged me to pursue further education and excellence in everything I did.
Thank you for raising leaders of leaders in Africa and around the world.
Thank you for allowing your family to be a blessing to us.
Till we meet again, Nind gi kwe Babu (DhoLuo, for fare-thee-well) .
~
Carolyne A. Opinde
Manchester, United Kingdom
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Eric Nyamwaro
February 19, 2025
Babu, you were a great mentor to me, and to the hundreds of thousands of people here in Kenya. Spans to millions that benefited from your wise counsel. The believe in young people. Your firm grip, the hearty conversations, the great stories you told us in the formative years when we were beginning the I Choose Life-Africa program at the university are my greatest and life defining moments that i cherish till today. Thank you for allowing your children, to be ministers to us, to be great mentors, to give of themselves to raise a responsible generation in Africa. You are gone, but alive in many of us. RIP babu.
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