March 6, 1925 – Aug. 30, 2005

Russell Buford Hanson Sr. of Prineville died Tuesday of cancer. He was 80.

A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at Prineville Funeral Home. A memorial service will follow. The Rev. Robert Greiner will officiate. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Ocean View Memorial Gardens in Coos Bay. The Rev. Angel Perez will officiate with Coos Bay American Legion Post No. 34 providing military honors.

Mr. Hanson was born March 6, 1925, in Los Gatos, Calif., to Edward and Eva (Bulmore) Hanson. He attended Los Gatos High School. He served in the U.S. Army with his brother, Dick, in the 376th Bomber Group during World War II, working as a radio operator in B-24s over Italy. He married Mary Zillner on Aug. 20, 1945. He later married Jeanne Cockrell.

Mr. Hanson worked for Western Telephone Co. in California until moving to Charleston, where he and his wife were partners in the Basin Cafe, Tackle Shop and Tavern.

He was a lifetime member of the Woodsmen of the World, and a past member of the Coos Bay Elks Lodge. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Survivors include his son, Russell of Prineville; a brother, Paul of Dayville, Calif.; two sisters, Pat Smith of St. George, Utah, and Diane Frydenger of Paines Creek, Calif.; one grandchild; and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by both his first and second wives and two brothers.

Prineville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.