Jeffrey Owen Hanson lived by the motto: Don’t let your CLOD define you! Jeff did not want to be known as “the kid down the street with low vision and a brain tumor.” He wanted to be defined as “the kid who gave a million dollars to charity.” He said, “We all have challenges. It’s not the challenge, but rather your response to the challenge that defines you.”
On a more personal note, Jeff was most happy when simply visiting with friends or traveling with his parents. He could not drive a car due to low vision, but loved to just ride along. “You be the wheels, I’ll pay the meals,” he would say. He loved cruises, big hotels and fast food. He always said he had “Gucci taste with a McDonalds palate.” Jeff loved trinkets, fidgets, all stuffed animals, especially Ramone the bear, girls, and a “McDouble Plain, large fries, extra crispy and a large Diet Coke, no ice.” Jeff loved anything purple and said he lived “the purple driven life.” The painting’s not done until the purple goes on!
In addition to his “business partner” parents, Hal and Julie, left to celebrate Jeff’s extraordinary rollercoaster life are his grandfather, Darold Swanson of Red Oak, IA, his honorary grandparents Rob and Debbie Givens, his beloved cousin Heather (“sissy”) Swanson Long, honorary aunt and uncle Colleen and Curt Czupka, Godparents Kirk and Jerra Swanson, and numerous other aunts, uncles and cousins across the nation. Jeff also leaves behind more than 20,000 social media friends and fans around the world that we won’t name here. Jeff was preceded in death by his grandmother, Beverly Swanson, of Red Oak, IA, and grandparents, Harold and Helen Hanson of McCallsburg, IA.
A memorial service with a limited number of family members will be held at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, KS, on Saturday, January 9 at 1 p.m. A live stream of the service will be available for viewing 10 minutes before the service begins at cor.org/memorialsonline
The family requests memorial donations to the Children’s Tumor Foundation through a “donate” button at www.jeffhansonart.com
The Hanson family has been deeply touched by the public tributes and many people who have shared the unique ways Jeff’s art and story have impacted their lives and altered their trajectory. The family finds great comfort in knowing that Jeff’s personal mission to “change the world through art,” was indeed accomplished! Well done, our extraordinary and loving son! Your work here is finished!