E. Sidney "Sid" Hanson

E. Sidney “Sid” Hanson passed away peacefully at home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with his two daughters by his side on April 25, 2021. Sid was born the fourth of five children in Salina, Kansas on July 6, 1926 to Clarence Raymond and Hessie May (Zook) Hanson. He grew up in Assaria, Kansas where his father was a wheat farmer and his mother a homemaker. It was here, early in life, Sid learned the principles of hard work and love of family that would guide him throughout his life. In 1944, he graduated from Assaria High School and enlisted in the Army. Upon his honorable discharge, Sid attended Kansas State University where he earned the degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1951.

Sid began a long and rewarding career at Cities Service Gas Company in 1951 as an engineer in the Gas Pipeline Department. He held various technical and supervisory positions in field operations in Kansas & Missouri until he was promoted to Vice President, Gas Transmission Division in 1968 which brought about a move to the company’s headquarters located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Throughout the ensuing years, Sid continued to receive promotions culminating in his promotion to President of Cities Service Gas Company in July 1982. He served on the Board of Directors for Cities Service Gas Company from 1968 until his retirement in 1984. He was a member of the National and the Oklahoma Society of Professional Engineers and Sigma Tau Fraternity, an American honor society in the field of engineering. Sid was active in trade associations and held offices and memberships in the American Gas Association, Southern Gas Association, Midwest Gas Association, and the Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association, among others. He served on the Board of Directors and as President of the Oklahoma City Petroleum Club. Sid was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and served there as a deacon. He was also a graduate of the Advanced Management Program, Harvard University.

Sid had a variety of outside interests and hobbies. He was an avid hunter, and as long as he was able, he never missed the opening of quail season. He hunted elk in Colorado while on horseback. He was a good shot as proven by earning the qualification of “Sharpshooter” while in the Army. He went deep sea fishing, zoomed down the Olympic bobsleigh run in St. Moritz and went on 50-mile horseback trail rides with his eldest daughter. He was a gardener with a green thumb and the family enjoyed his many homegrown vegetables. After his retirement, he bought some land where he kept horses for his family to ride and raised and sold cattle. Sid was a patriot and actively supported candidates in whom he believed.

As successful as Sid was in his career and as engaging as his hobbies were, his greatest joy was his family. Soon after he began his career with Cities Service, he met Lois Saxton Robertson on a blind date. The couple married in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1953 and started a family. Throughout his life, Sid was devoted to his wife, two daughters, and later, his granddaughter. He demonstrated his character through his actions. When his daughter returned to work after having his only granddaughter, he and Lois volunteered to take care of their grandchild. He was the primary caregiver everyday of the workweek until his granddaughter entered preschool. When his wife’s health failed, he became her full-time caregiver. He was the type of person who kept treasured emails from his granddaughter and cards from his daughters in a special file to save forever. Sid could fix anything and he was often called upon for this skill. Throughout the years, he taught his “girls” many things: how to be independent and think for themselves, the meaning of commitment, to always do their best, how to water ski and ride a horse, plant a garden, and how to be a loving parent. Sid was always a refuge in times of trial or disappointment and a trustworthy advisor when a loved one faced a difficult decision. Sid had a keen sense of humor that made him a pleasure for all to be around. Even in his most difficult times toward the end of his life, his sense of humor would shine through. His wise council, support, steadfast love, amazing smile and bright blue eyes are irreplaceable and will be missed forever.

Sid was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Hessie Hanson; his wife Lois, of 65 years; his sister, Nellie Mae Virginia (Hanson) Kennedy of Atascadero, California; his brothers Clarence Raymond “Pat” Hanson of Santa Barbara, California and Mark Anthony Hanson of Alamogordo, New Mexico. He is survived by his two children, Lynn H. Gibbs (husband David W. Gibbs) and Kim A. Hanson, all of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 1 granddaughter, Mallory L. Gibbs of Houston, Texas, his brother Rodney Allen Hanson of Tucson, Arizona in addition to many nieces and nephews and other dear relatives and friends. Sid will be honored in a private service for immediate family members. In lieu of flowers or memorials, the family would be so blessed if friends and family would visit Sid’s obituary page at www.MemorialParkOKC.com and share a special memory of Sid or a message to the family.