Timothy Darnell Hanson

Timothy Darnell Hanson (née Timothy Woods) was born on February 20, 1966 in Akron, Ohio to Dorothy Marion Woods and Robert Snyder. From a young age, Timothy excelled in football, track & field, and the Arts. Throughout his life, he would continue to use all of these strengths in roles of father, coach, and creative genius.

After graduating from Central Hower High School in Akron in 1984, Timothy enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, ultimately earning the rank of Corporal. Timothy traveled to the Philippines and Japan during his service, before being stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, California.

After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps. Timothy moved back to his hometown of Akron, Ohio where he completed a degree in hospitality management from Akron University. In 1992 he started working as a grill cook for St. Thomas Hospital. This was the beginning of his storied culinary career.

Always inspired by cooking with his adoptive grandmother, Ma Hannah Hanson growing up, Chef Tim, as he became known, continued to wow people from Akron, to Southern California, to Las Vegas with his impressive cooking skills, strong and admirable work ethic and exuberant personality in the kitchen and front of the house. You couldn’t name a person with more enthusiasm for food and making people feel and eat happy. More than someone who loved to cook, Chef Tim loved to entertain. From his restaurant Chef Tim’s with Spices in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, to Rolling Smoke BBQ in Las Vegas, NV where he was recognized with the restaurant as one of the Top 20 BBQ Restaurants in the Country, to his private social clubs Good Times and Da Lionz Den in Las Vegas, Nevada, Chef Tim always brought life to the party, along with the most delicious food from the soul.

Through his cross-country travels, Tim always planted seeds — as a coach and mentor to any and everyone who welcomed his confident and effervescent spirit, his unfiltered honesty, and his creative ideas. Tim always had a knack for creating and finding beauty in all things and loved to share his ideas…if you just listened. And not to mention, he gave the best hugs on the planet. He enjoyed flower arranging, painting, drawing, and decorating…and don’t forget, the man loved to dress! To put it simply, Timothy Hanson was fly.

Many of you may also know him as Coach Tim from his days of coaching Pee-Wee Football in Akron, OH and Pop Warner Football and NJB Basketball in Upland, CA. Tim was a natural-born leader and motivator. And if he didn’t coach you in real sports, he might’ve coached you in Madden.

Tim’s creative energy was felt by anyone who ever stepped foot into his home. The Hanson home was always full of energy, friends, and fun. He gained the nickname Ohio17 because he had the energy and courage of a 17 year old. This nickname was one he carried closely to his heart (Thanks to Daril Blackmon for the moniker). He later learned that 17 is symbolic of: strength, insight, and compassion. All qualities he lived by daily in his quest to make this world a little better of a place. And he did.

Though Tim brought his Marine Corps background to the parenting field (100 pushups to start the day, anyone?), he always created a safe space for his kids and family. From game nights, to delicious meals; from picking the kids (and their friends) up from school in the Family Van or the Saturn, or the Leemur; to coaching us or cheering us on from the sidelines and escorting us for Homecoming Court (he really knew how to make a girl feel special 💕 ); From helping out with school projects and the occasional hairdo for picture day; from whooping us in video games to the pep talks and encouragement to talk to yourself in the mirror at least once a day to build charisma. Timothy was everything to his kids. A guardian. A best friend. And simply, the best father. One of the best to ever do it.

Timothy had a way of making everyone feel loved, it didn’t matter who you are. He appreciated good company and of course, the ladies. And no matter how you slice it, he was a standup guy who made you feel good about yourself. And he kept in touch with everybody. His family and friends meant the world to him and he always let it be known. Ladies and gentlemen, take note. And don’t forget to tell the people you love just that (frequently…we hear it builds good character).

Growing up, Timothy was both adopted and fostered by the loving people who make up his large extended family today. Because of this, his love knows no bounds. He never met a stranger. And everything he has accomplished has made his family and children so extremely proud of him.

Timothy will always be an inspiration to live life to the fullest and always by your own rules, to have the courage to stand up for what is right, say what you mean, and always keep moving forward towards your goals no matter the setbacks. If anyone ever dreamed a dream, it was Timothy and he achieved it. From his many TV appearances (Food Network, Pawn Stars, and local news in Vegas and California) and becoming a pillar of his community, to sending his kids off to college and watching them graduate, from owning his home, to being a trailblazer in the cannabis community, from serving his country proud (Ooh-Rah), to seeing his kids have kids and continue building on the Hanson legacy. Timothy Darnell Hanson lives on.

Let him live on through you as well — everyday when you wake up, look in the mirror and give yourself that pep talk. Head into your day confidently. Listen to the music that makes you happy (one of his best pieces of advice for an interview), and always take time to laugh.

Ever-4-Ever

4sho

“Let’s get it so we can share it. Believe in you & me for we are the hope and inspiration to all that follow in this realm of happiness.” - Chef Tim

Timothy is survived and greatly missed by his children: Ryan Hanson (Jessica Hanson), Ronald Poe, Tai Hanson-Shin (John Shin), Choyce Guice-Robertson (Jarvay Robertson), Timothy Hanson II (Erica Inge) , and Alana Hanson.

He will forever live in the hearts of all of his grandchildren: Jaiden Hanson, Tyree Guice, Mitzie Guice, Jace Guice, Roman Shin, Ronald Poe IV, Austin Poe, Amya Poe, and Ryann Hanson.

He is forever loved by the mothers of his children: Avis McKee, Karen Kimbell Hanson, Yolanda Wims, Shatira Guice, and Alana Chandler.

He is survived by a large and loving family including sisters: Ginger Hanson, Malikka Mosley, Monique Mosley, April Thomas, Lisa Thomas, Adrienne Thomas, Leshillia Walker, Janie Hanson; brothers: Randy Thomas, Chris Thomas, Bryan Thomas, Jack Woods, Tank Snyder, Lash Snyder; Marcus Snyder; Leon Hanson, Otis Hanson; parents in law: Albert McKee and Adrienne McKee; foster mother: Roseanne Thomas; Cousins Regeana Delatte , Demarlo Delatte, Dallas Delatte, Daylen Delatte, Wanda Snyder, Carmella Long Harrison, Denise Boyer; best friends George Walter, Daril and Lydia Blackmon, Dean Fedele, Sir Kimbell and a host of other nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends who have become family.

Timothy is preceded in death by mother, Dorothy Marion Woods; father, Robert “Bobby” Snyder; brothers, John Lee Woods, Jackie Hanson, Michael Hanson, foster mother Hannah Hanson; and foster father, Willard Hanson.