Veldon Hansen

Veldon "Tex" Hansen

Veldon passed away peacefully on September 25, 2025. He was born on June 11, 1935, to Orland and Hazel Hansen, the youngest of 8 children. He attended North Sanpete High in Mt. Pleasant, Utah, though he left school early to work as a sheep herder and later in the oil fields.

In the summer of 1956 Veldon met his sweetheart, Ila Lockwood and they married December 14, 1956. They moved to Dugway Proving Grounds in 1957, raised their 2 children there and made lifelong friends. While employed there he worked for the University of Utah and for the Federal Government in the Chemical Test Division. He retired in 1993. Tex and Ila moved to Fredonia, Arizona, in 1995. They made many new friends and new memories at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, the Kaibab Forest, and floating the Colorado River. In 2017 they returned to Tooele County to be close to their family.

To most everyone, he was known as Tex. He always had a story or joke to tell. He never met a stranger with the ability to strike up a conversation with anyone and have a new friend at the end. He was a cowboy, the kind with true grit. Tex and Ila rode countless miles with the BLM Wildlife Federation. He loved helping Dennis and Shirley on their ranch and riding shotgun with his best friend Darrell. Tex loved playing his guitar and having sing-a-longs with family and friends, fishing the Green River, vacations in Yellowstone, riding his mule Belle, and chocolate cake. He cherished his time spent with his children, but his eyes shone brightest when his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were in the room. He loved his family fiercely.

A heartfelt thank you to Canyon Home Health and Hospice. Morgan, Brady, Lacey, and Sarah and to Tricia and the staff at Diamond Jane's Assisted Living for your care, compassion and kindness.

Veldon is survived by his children Kimberly (Larry) and Russ (Valarie); grandchildren Shannon, Danny (Danielle), and Trevor (Morgan); bonus granddaughter Robyn (Andrew); great-grandchildren Kaitlyn, Breanne, Lane, Kannon, and Jaxon. He is preceded in death by his wife, great-grandson Jett, his parents, and siblings.

On Thursday, October 2, 2025, there will be a visitation for family and friends from 6:00-8:00pm, at Tate Mortuary, 110 South Main Street, Tooele, Utah.

On Friday, October 3, 2025, there will be a graveside service at 1:00pm at the Spring City Cemetery, Spring City, Utah.