Jerry Lee Hanhardt was born 07/27/1942 in Great Bend, Kansas. He began his dance with the angel's on 10/04/2022 with his loving family witnessing his transition. Shortly after he was born to Harold and LaWanda Hanhardt (Smith), Harold was called to serve in WWII. Jerry and his mom then went to Fox Mountain at Quemado, New Mexico to be with her parents, Baron and Ovadell Smith. Jerry loved to share stories of those days. After Harold's return, the family moved to Aztec.
Jerry graduated in 1961 from Aztec High. He had many friends in that class who are still friends to this day. Among those friends was Fran Trayer. In 1964 his romantic proposal to Fran (as he told it) was "We are the only ones left in our class who aren't married, so we should get hitched". She said "yes" and they spent the next 58 years together.
Jerry spent a few years as a salesman, but the majority of his career was in purchasing. He worked on several pipelines, power plant construction and finally retiring from APS (Arizona Public Service) with 20 years of service.
Jerry was diagnosed with MS over 45 years ago, but never let that stop him from getting things done. The only concession he gave to the disease was to use a motorized wheelchair. He wanted to save his energy to do "other" things. He actually wore out 11 scooters and was doing a good number on his 12th.
Jerry was very civic minded and was always in the middle of something. He was instrumental in starting the Four Corners Search and Rescue, Four Corners Purchasing Management Association, and San Juan Center for Independence. He served on the State Construction Industries Commission and on the Governor's Commission on the Concerns for the Handicapped. He was elected to and served on the Aztec City Commission for 10 years. That position included him serving on the CRWVA and Northwest NM Seniors board. He was a Mason, a Shriner and member of Order of Eastern Star. And was EXTREMELY PROUD to be in that brotherhood.
He was a very humble man but took great pride in his family. The example he made by the way he lived his life is an inspiration to many. His quick wit, his commitment to anything he put his mind to, his drive and determination to not let anything or anyone get him down are demonstrated by his daughters and grandchildren. Those traits will be carried on by the great grandchildren Papa loved so much.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and LaWanda Hanhardt, his sister Karren Hodges, and his grandparents. He is survived by this wife Fran; daughters Jerilyn (Mickey), Julie (Jimmy), and Jodi (David). His brother Leon (Leanna), brother-in-law Milton "Sonny" (Darlene) Trayer, his 12 grandchildren and 13 ½ great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and many, many friends.
Jerry was adamant about not wanting a funeral. He wanted us to have a party, so that is what we will do. Please join us at the Aztec Civic Center 101 South Park, Aztec NM on Saturday 10/08/2022. The celebration will start at 1:00pm and end around 4:00. There will be a Masonic service at 4:00pm.
Please bring a memory, a story and joke.
The family would like to express our appreciation to Mary and Zach with Guardian Angel. David, Pamela and the two Terri's with Visiting Angels and Farmington Funeral Home for their amazing and respectful care of my husband, our dad and our Papa.
"If you could see me now,
I'm walking streets of gold.
If you could see me now,
I'm standing tall and whole.
If you could see me now,
You'd know I've seen His face.
If you could see me now,
You'd know the pain is erased."