Forty-year Derby resident Cregg Paul Hansen, our friend, husband and dad passed away on Monday, February 12, 2018. In his 72 years of life, he loved reeling in that feisty trout, watching a good movie, Oreos, his mother’s scones and breaded pork chops and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. More than all of this and above anything else, he loved God, his family and his country.
He was the man you saw at Optimist Club meetings long ago, swinging a bat in the over-35 softball league or picking up that spare in his Tuesday Night bowling league at the Derby Bowl. The more formidable sightings of Cregg, however, were at the John M. West American Legion Post #408, where he served as Commander twice; assisted in growing the Post through the integration and advancement of the American Legion Riders; and worked with other Posts throughout the entire state. He was a proud life member of both the Legion and VFW Post #7253.
Cregg was also seen shaking hands at hundreds of military homecomings and farewells riding his Harley-Davidson as one of the founding members of the Patriot Guard Riders, a diverse group of riders from across the entire nation that honor fallen military heroes, first responders and honorably discharged veterans. Thousands of miles in parades were ridden across the State to personally show military respect. His love of the military extended to the POW/MIA cause as well – wearing a bracelet praying for the safe return of America’s missing servicemen and women and prisoners of war.
His service in the United States Air Force taught him how to prepare for the worst, keep a tidy house, be on time, be self-reliant and serve the country and those who fight for it.
If Cregg wasn’t seen at the American Legion, in a backyard sharing hot dogs with a returning solider, or helping his thousands of clients as the local Shelter Insurance Agent for over 30 years, Cregg was likely taking care of his wife of 53 years, Becky, or laughing on his back patio with his family, or cheering on the Denver Broncos. All the people who laughed with him, cried with him, mourned with him, voted in Legion meetings with him, or rode Thunder Road with him join his family in now missing him.
Cregg Hansen was preceded in death by his parents, Terrance and Vivian. Survivors include his wife Becky; son Mitch and his wife Pam; son Paul and his wife Jeannette; grandchildren Jillian Waski (husband Mark), Bailey, Cole and Michaela.
Services for Cregg Hansen will be held on Saturday, February 17 at 2pm at Smith Mortuary with Interment immediately following at El Paso Cemetery, also in Derby. Family Visitation will be Friday, February 16 from 4pm-8pm at Smith Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: The American Legion Post #408 Children’s Christmas Fund, 101 S. Baltimore, Derby, KS 67037.