David Hanson

David Lawrence Hanson, 63, of Billings, Montana, passed away on September 2, 2021 after a fearless two-year battle with brain cancer. David was born June 28, 1958 in Rochester, New York before moving to West Virginia where he would spend the majority of his youth. David was a loving son to his mother and father and a devoted brother and best friend to his sister. He left his beloved West Virginia in 1981 for Billings, Montana with nothing more than a one-way bus ticket, bag of clothes, twenty bucks and a packed lunch. He was truly the definition of a self-made man, supporting his family and his guitar and gun habit by drivin' truck for most of his adult life. He eventually bought a home in Lockwood that would come to be known as “The No Chance Garage.” “Dadude” was a dad, first and foremost, amazed that he was blessed with four amazing, attractive, funny, smart and successful children. David taught his kids that ZZ Top and Stevie Ray Vaughn will always help you get the house clean, you work hard for what you have, it always needs more salt and to say “I love you” every chance you get. David loved being a Papa (aka Fire Grandpa and Papaw) and loved being the larger than life, “Uncle David.” The “Big FNG” had a spot in the No Chance Garage for almost anyone who stopped by. He offered up a cold-beer, often unsolicited advice (“That's f****n' stupid”) and a great meal (chili anyone?). The home he created was the site of many a volleyball party (Jungle Ball 1990s), several garage dance parties and so many Saturday morning breakfasts. “Big Dave” would never say it, but he was an accomplished guitarist, with his kids being his biggest fans. He played “Smokin' in the Boys Room” for his kids too many times to count. Dad had great pride in his “Show Truck,” spent plenty of time with his custom “cooler than s**t” Harley Davidson and grew a velvety green lawn that was the envy of all. He could tell a story better than anyone, problem solve almost any situation and fix just about anything. “Hillbilly David” made the world's best salsa, pot of chili and Christmas Eve dinner (pork chili Verde and chili rellenos.) A practiced distiller, David's popular home crafted vodka lemonades (on tap!) and spicy Bloody Mary's both contributed to and cured many a hangover. Over the past couple years, “Pop” spent many pensive days on his veranda (verandicating) with the sun on his face, studying his daily bible verse, “pontificating” life and life's choices, watching the critters and listening to the trees and sounds of the world. He took great pride in the life and home he had made and shared with his family and friends. No amount of time could have been enough for David's friends and family. David is preceded in death by his father, James Hanson. He is survived by and will be unimaginably, painfully missed by all of his family: his mother, Phyllis Hanson, his four head-strong children, Joshua David Hanson (Jennifer,) Aimee Jo Paige Rich (Jason,) Ashley Ann Prange (Nathan,) and Ali Rae Hanson. David also leaves his sister Cindi Hanson-Paige (JR) his 8 grandchildren, Gracelyn Rae, Shamus Charles, Addy Paige, Ella Maree, Penelope June, Thera Frankie, Oskar David and Nora Anne Paige, his nieces and nephew, Montana, Laramie and Jacob, his great niece and nephew Trinity and Tristan. The family will be hosting a celebration of life at his home in Billings Saturday September 18th. In his honor, love your family, help your neighbor and have a cold-beer. If you would like to make a donation, pick something dear to you, in his name, in your name, doesn't matter. In the words of David: “Love ya, see ya, bye.”