J Fred Hansen

Torrey, Utah - J Fred Hansen, age 88, passed away March 1, 2015 at his home in Torrey, surrounded by his family. He was born February 7, 1927 in Orem, Utah, a son of Julian J and Grace Cobbley Hansen. He was always a hard worker and had many occupations throughout his life. He did a tour in the Merchant Marines during World War II. After he returned from the war, he became an orchard farmer, vegetable farmer, plasterer, truck drive, sheep farmer, real estate agent and volunteer fire fighter for the Orem Fire Department. "Big Fred" was the third person hired by the city of Orem to be a professional fireman and he eventually became Assistant Chief of the Orem Fire Department, where he worked for 20 years. After retiring from the Fire Department, Fred opened a greenhouse business in Torrey, Utah, became the Mayor of Torrey, and served as the President of Sand Creek Water for many years. He married Donna Hancock July 24, 1954 in Las Vegas, Nevada. They were married for 25 years and had two children together, David and Julie. They later divorced. Fred married his very best friend, Janet Clark, November 1 1979 in Torrey. Fred and Jan spent the last 35 years taking care of each other, traveling together, working together and serving their friends, family, community and one another. Fred loved to travel, especially to Alaska, and he and Jan went on many trips together. Fred also loved skiing (at least until he broke his leg when he was 50 years old!), the outdoors, hunting and 4-wheeling. He was an avid gardener, and he loved to let his grandkids and great-grandkids wander through the garden with him, where he always made sure to teach them about one of his favorite treats: a handful of garden fresh peas eaten with a bite of raw onion. His grandkids are convinced Grandpa Fred had the most beautiful and delicious garden in Torrey, and probably in the world! Fred spent his whole life serving others. There are few people in Torrey who haven't benefitted from one of Big Fred's many acts of service. He loved having visitors, and he always told the best stories. He could spend hours sharing his stories and making everyone laugh. Fred is survived by his wife, Janet, of Torrey; his children: David J. and Jill Hansen of Orem; Julie and Kevin Johnson of Genola; step-children: Blake Ford of Cedar City; Mitch and Anita Ford of Blue Eye, Missouri; Becky Walters of Spanish Fork; 20 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; brother and sister: Paul and Kathleen Hansen of Benjamin; JenaV Zimmerman of Cameron, Missouri. We will miss his stories, his laugh, walking through the garden with him, and so many more things, but we're sure he'll have new adventures to tell us about and a beautiful garden to share with us in heaven. We'll miss you Big Fred! Funeral services will be held Friday, March 6, 2015 at 1:00 P.M. in the Torrey LDS Ward Chapel, where friends may call for viewing Friday morning from 11:00 to 12:30 prior to the services. Burial with military honors accorded by the Harold Brown American Legion Post #92 and the Utah Honor Guard will be in the Torrey Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.