Ronald Gaylord Hanson

Ronald Gaylord Hanson March 1, 1933-October 13, 2022 Ronald was born in Greeley, Colorado on March 1, 1933 to Lawrence Gaylord and Velma Hanson. They resided in Brighton, Colorado where he attended school through his sophomore year when they moved to Kingsburg, California. He then attended Kingsburg High where he met a young lady, Marilyn Turk, who was to become his best friend and eventually his wife. He joined the Navy Reserves while in high school then attended Reedley College where he majored in Aeronautics. Immediately upon graduation, he received his induction notice into the military. Ron and Marilyn decided to get married before he left for further education in the Navy. Soon he was assigned to a permanent station on Chincoteague Island, Virginia, a Naval base, as an aviation storekeeper where he spent his enlisted time. After the service, he decided the aviation field was not what he wanted. By this time, they had two boys. He then went back to school at Fresno State and majored in Viticulture where he won the outstanding CSUF Dr. Elmer Snyder award for Viticulture. Upon graduating in 1960, he was employed by DiGiorgio Wine Company in Arvin, California, thus starting his career in the wine industry. In 1964, he was offered a position with Christian Brothers Winery as a wine chemist in Reedley, thus moving his family of five. Ron rose rapidly in the Christian Brothers organization becoming production manager, winemaker and eventually plant manager. Ron participated in most of the outside organizations available through the wine industry; such as the San Joaquin Valley Winemakers, the Technical Advisory Committee, the Wine Institute, and the American Society of Enologists. He proudly rose to the presidency in all of them. Christian Brothers was purchased by Allied Vintners around 1989 and Ron continued with them as plant manager until they were sold to Golden State Vintners in 1995. After retiring in 1996, he worked as a consultant for the Napa Valley Specialty Wine. There he was responsible for the Communion Wines. Family and faith were most important in Ron's life. Outside adventures included nine years on the Board of Directors for Bethel Lutheran Home during the time the new village was built. He was active at Christ Lutheran Church since 1964, where he also held many positions on the Board. He was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn, his parents, his sister Beverly Warren and his son David. He is survived by his son Gary and wife Anita, David's wife Karen, his daughter Jennifer and husband Steve Lewis, his sisters Anne Martin and Carolyn Barnes and husband Bill. He is also survived by his 7 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Services will be held, Monday, October 24 at 11:00 am at Christ Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the church.

Ronald Gaylord Hanson

March 1, 1933 - October 13, 2022