Wayne Hansen

W Gordy Hansen 3/25/1947-12/19/2025 Keeping His Eye on the Ball
Wayne Gordon (Gordy) Hansen 78, lifetime educator as a public high school teacher, head athletic coach, and high school principal passed on December 19, 2025 into the open arms of his personal Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He died at the family home, nestled in a rural residential area in the wooded hills of Shelton, Washington, after being overcome by the final stages of a 16-year battle with Parkinsons compounded by a recent intrusive case of pneumonia. Wife Mary, the love of his life from being high school sweethearts and constant companions in marriage for over 57 years provided the compassionate management, care and keeping to sustain him during this time.
Born to parents Ole and Evelyn Hansen on March 25, 1947 at the former Maynard Hospital located in a seven hospital "zone" affectionately referred to as "Pill Hill" in Seattle, Washington. Both were offspring of parents who migrated to this country through Ellis Island from Norway in the early 1920's, eventually settling in the Seattle/Tacoma area of Puget Sound. They were representative of the true "Viking Spirit" with Ole's family originating from the northern Lofoten Islands and Evelyn from the southern area of Bergen. Gordy was a true American through and through but he always appreciated and respected that Norwegian heritage.
Both parents proceeded him in death and is now survived by Mary, older brother Gary, younger sister Jeanne, sons Michael (spouse Lisa), Jed (spouse Annie), and Lars. Grandkids include Skyler (spouse Chelsea), Hayden (and Tierra), Will, Linden, Elowyn, Annika, Finnley, Logan, Titan, Gunner, Aspen and Aribella. Great grandkids include Emerson, Kohen, Hudson, Samson, Maximus, Georgia, Rowan and soon to be Marybelle.
At the tender age of three, the five members of the Hansen family moved to a new three-bedroom home built by Ole on an acre of raw land in the Midland area of Tacoma. The property was located in a family-oriented area across the street from the Dawson Field playground with an adult level baseball field also catering to organized little leagues. It helped set the stage for Gordy's long-lived participation and love for the national pastime. The new home and associated acreage provided the means and opportunity to cultivate and reap the bounties of a well-manicured vegetable garden, various berry varieties as well as three different apple trees and Italian prunes. In addition, other interests such as raising chickens, rabbits and even a pen of homing and show type pigeons became part of Gordy's early development. The rural country like setting in a family oriented and dominated community provided the setting to foster development as a child to young man. The neighborhood was alive with lots of other friendly kids and neighbors some who would become life-long friends. There was little or no serious crime or proliferation of illegal drugs. Immediate surrounding neighbors included a medical doctor and his wife provided primary care services to the entire family often without a charge. On the opposite side of the road was an All-American family with kids around the same age as the Hansen's. A short block down the street was another nice family whose dad became one of Gordy's Little League baseball coaches.
Speaking of sports, that neighborhood was nearly always alive on non-public school days with some sort of organized or pick-up type action as there was plenty of open space in Dawson Field or private yards for baseball, football or basketball. Especially on Saturdays or Sunday afternoons, it was commonplace for inspired organizers to knock on doors and call the troops to start up some friendly competition. The games must go on regardless of individual athletic ability.
Growing up with a three year older more experienced brother had a number of possible advantages, including grooming in basic athletic skills that might serve him well as he progressed through a young lifetime of organized sports. He was an eager follower and learner, and his natural abilities helped in establishing a competitive spirit. The house basement served as an indoor recreation area centered around a ping pong table which turned out to be a perfect fit for some very hot back and forth action. A super venue for eye and reflex conditioning. He had to hustle and keep his wits about him, that he did.
Playing the game of baseball also came to him naturally and when time would permit, he would gladly join his brother playing catch in the yard area of the home. In dry outside conditions the baseballs used were official leather, four seamed varieties except in wet conditions when a rubber replica was utilized. These were no easy patty cake tossing sessions; more like fast, hard toss. Some of the throws went straight but others were launched with some variation of curve or alternate breaking mode. For example, a "knuckle ball" (more of a non-rotating floater type which was hard to control) would help "juice up" the mix. The rubber balls often exhibited a tendency to deviate from straight to a sailing effect, different from the leather type. The reality of it was that one had to adjust receiving expectations often at the last moment before receipt. The eye training in this regard, would also be beneficial as a batter tracking a pitcher's delivery during a game or batting practice.
Gordy's assimilation into early competition through the Little League ranks was surely aided by this activity. He was able to enjoy productive winning season win and loss records, with his team mates helping drive that increasing competitive spirit.
His early eyesight never required him to wear corrective lenses. Who knows for sure, but did his acquired affection and habit of munching down raw carrots (learned from a close neighbor) help the cause? That's a good example of the so called "old wives tales", but in this particular case there is evidence of "proof in the pudding" so to speak. The resultant effect enabled him to play an entire senior baseball season without a strikeout, a record that in concept can never be broken.
When reaching the junior high level there was no baseball team, therefore opening another sport opportunity in track. Being quick of foot, he was a decent candidate to try out for the low hurdle sprint events which would help foster natural quickness tendencies; valuable to baseball fielding and base stealing.
During those junior high years, he was privileged to play second base with a neighborhood team that just happened to win the Pierce County Championship. Surrounded by a team with exceptional talent, that winning spirit continued to thrive.
By the time he started high school as a sophomore, the varsity baseball coach was eager to have him in Spring tryouts, which led to a position in the starting lineup. When school closed for the year in June, most serious players joined locally sponsored American Legion Post teams through the summer months. With the high school coach also taking charge of the American Legion team for the first two of the three years, it was an easy transition to continue with that team.
Meeting the love of his life Mary, during a sophomore English class would become a defining moment; becoming the genesis of the core relationship that would hold all others together. A compelling sighting, an innocent introduction and the rest is history as they say. Conversations over banana splits beyond a fun ride in the family two door coupe solidified an unbreakable bond.
During the entire time at the high school level, he continued to perform at a high level. Skillsets included impressive power, batting average, speed on the bases, defensive abilities around the diamond and a strong throwing arm. A good foundation for graduation to college competition.
After a five-year courtship, Gordy would be united with Mary in marriage during the summer of 1968. The culmination of college and newly married life found him at a turning point after extensive research and prayerful consideration; job applications were submitted, an English teaching job secured and a new residence in Tacoma, Washington was established. A draft for the Vietnam war loomed in the background, but never demanded his presence as his first son Michael was born in late 1969. Becoming a new English teacher, basketball and baseball coach at Washington High School coincided with the birth of his second son Jed in 1972 and a purchase of the beloved "Home of Hansen memories" in Pleasant Valley. Many legendary stories rivaling the Adventures of Huck Finn and The Great Brain could be written from the neighborhood backyard baseball diamond (at the Hansen House) and front yard basketball court (yes, also at the Hansen Home). Five story tree forts and BMX tracks were built on either side within the ten-acre wood. Guess who was the catalyst in this All-American Boy utopia? Bingo Gordy widened the driveway, set the hoop in concrete, installed the plywood backboard and oriented the backyard baseball diamond with an ideal left field fence separating the bovine pasture beyond. Seasonal sports leagues were formed from the multitude of Pleasant Valley homesteads raising the next generation. Between games one could hear the cry of a new baby in the dugout as son Lars joined the team in 1976.
Mentorship came naturally to "the three boys" as Gordy revealed his wisdom in all aspects of athletics; mental, physical, and most importantly, spiritual. Morning devotions and evening Bible studies became the Way of life as our Creator was integrated into the ebb and flow Gordy style. The definition of which became laughter (corny dad jokes anyone?), grace (slow to anger), work ethic (always provided), dad (led by example), husband (loved by example) and discipleship (led many to the Lord).
An early career opportunity arose via pharmaceutical founder Eli Lilly and Gordy would touch all the bases on a new playing field as the Bible as Literature class became reality. A summer internship at the University of Indiana was available for "Teaching the BIBLE in Secondary Schools." This was offered to a limited number of secondary educators from around the nation, who had a keen interest in participating. It was promoted by the Eli Lilly Foundation, a charitable trust and outreach of the corporate pharma giant Eli Lilly Corporation. The brain child of founder and CEO Eli Lilly himself. Although coming from a Jewish family background, he practiced as a Bible believing Christian through his Southern Baptist membership. He saw a need to introduce and teach some of the values of the highest selling book of all time to many who would not be exposed otherwise. The Foundation which he headed would fully bankroll the entire expense. All transportation, room and board, and tuition would be covered. Upon learning of this opportunity, Gordy jumped on the chance of an introduction to the district class lineup and his strong personal interest.
After first approaching a receptive superintendent, the next step included an interview and discussion with the District Board of Directors. All were very supportive of the idea and especially impressed with the fact that no District funding would be required. There was one provision however that any resulting class would only address the literature aspects of the presentations and never include individual religious denomination aspects. Application then made and easily accepted. Perfect fit for all concerned. Then as summer rolled around it was off to Indiana to join the other approximately 90 educators. Upon completion, it was back to Tacoma to set up the first class at Washington High. Strong student interest to sign up exceeded initial expectations and the class was generally well accepted regardless of specific religious background. The class session was divided into two halves with the first concentrating on the Old Testament Creation Story, Noah and the flood, David and Goliath, wisdom and poetry of Psalms and Proverbs and Old Testament characters such as Daniel, Samson and Moses. The second half of the class progressed to the New Testament including Mark and Luke, with influences and connections to our own culture today. He continued teaching the class for several successful years before eventually turning it over to another English staff member. At the time, this was considered a major educational breakthrough in secondary education which in today's public schools would likely never see the light of day. Hats off to Mr. Lilly for his solid support.
The beautiful summers of the seventies and eighties found him coaching young prospects at Okanagan Major League Baseball Camp just across the border in Canada. Exceptional, professional level baseball skillsets, and a relationship with Jesus, Gordy style were now being instilled in the next generation. Lord only knows how many young men were impacted through the evening Bible studies, daily pepper, "over the line" and fielding drills. Only heaven will tell.
He continued his development by completing a Master's in Education degree from the University of Puget Sound, paving the way for school leadership. Around 1980, the first position in administration opened up as the Vice Principal of Keithley Junior High, soon followed by a position as the Vice Principal at Washington High. These positions refined his leadership foundation as he took over as the Principal of Steilacoom High in 1988. Recognized, after only a year into his tenure, Gordy was awarded the Washington Award for Excellence in Education in 1989. He said "I'm really happy to be recognized that way. It doesn't mean we're perfect, but we are headed in the right direction in terms of leadership." Inevitably, a particular set of special relationships developed in the mid-eighties. His family started attending Spanaway Lutheran Church and soon began the friendships of their lifetime within the Marriage Encounter group. These believing couples have taken on the ups and downs of modern life as an unbreakable team that still meets to this day. Realizing the possibility of securing a better path for his boys to experience better baseball opportunities, the family moved to Olympia, Washington. More leadership opportunities arose as Gordy was welcomed into the Bible Study Fellowship fold that would last another decade. As his boys flourished in baseball through the nineties, the first chapter of school administration drew to a close as he retired the first time, in 1998.
The next few years found Gordy having fun working for the boatyard in Fife and car dealership in Olympia. Feeling called to get back in to school leadership, he joined the administrators at Shelton High in 2003 soon followed by the Principal position at Choice High School in 2004. Moving up to the district level in 2007, he became the Assistant Superintendent for Shelton schools. This exceptional career culminated with a very unique position as the lead administrator for the Culture in Education program at Hoodsport School District. Finally retiring in 2010, Gordy would discover the last chapter in this amazing creation would be walked and shuffled with Parkinson's.
The good Lord's grace under pressure would now be on full display as the super athlete would have his normal motor skills diminished significantly over the next fifteen years. He engaged this challenge in the same way he had taken on every obstacle, Gordy style drawing ever closer to Jesus, growing the kingdom by developing even stronger relationships, retelling a plethora of dad jokes, maintaining the PD therapy discipline and navigating the unknown mental landscape holding the hand of the One that welcomed him home on the morning of 12/19/2025.