John Emory Hanson, lovingly known to many as PJ, went to be with the Lord on April 2, 2016, surrounded by family and close friends. His 78 years were full and fruitful. John was a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He leaves behind his wife Sharon, daughter Cindy and son-in-law Jeff, son Johnny, brother Rich, grandchildren Jessica, Walter, Kylie, Matthew, Zach, Taylor and great-granddaughter Lucy. 

     Born September 12, 1937, in Santa Maria, California. John was the son of the late Bazil Hanson and Velma (Livesay) Hanson. His growing up years were spent in Santa Maria and he graduated from Santa Maria High School. He lived in Santa Maria until 1956, when as a young adult he spent two years traveling with an evangelistic gospel team called God’s Invasion Army. Following that he went to Briercrest Bible College, where he met his wife Sharon MacDougall in 1962. John and Sharon were happily married two years later in 1964, leading to almost 52 years of love for each other. 

     After graduating from Briercrest John worked on staff at Hume Lake Christian Camps during which time he received a call to serve as a youth pastor at his home church, Grace Baptist in Santa Maria, California. This began his pastoral legacy of over 50 years. 

     The year of 1965 began with the birth of John and Sharon’s first child, Cindy, and concluded with the opportunity to plant a church in Fairfield, California. In 1966 they officially started Fairfield Baptist Conference Church. During years of growth in the church, the Hanson family also grew with the birth of their son, Johnny. Many years later, the church changed its name to Parkway Community Church, which is getting ready to celebrate its 50 year anniversary later this fall. 

     Pastor John formally retired in April of 2000 but remained active in the church until his passing. John left a legacy of unconditional love, service, and genuine care for others. Outside of Parkway, he was involved in the community as a member of the Mission Solano Board, Chaplain for the Fairfield Police Department for 10 years, part of the Fairfield Ministerial Association, and a member of the Travis Hospitality House board. 

     John left a big hole in the lives of so many people he touched during his 78 years here on earth, and will be greatly missed. 

     A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 23rd at 1:00 pm at Liberty Church, 2641 N. Texas Street, Fairfield, CA. In lieu of flowers the family requests that gifts be given to Parkway Community Church to be used for Hume Lake Camp Scholarships. Checks may be written to Parkway Community Church, with the memo “PCC HUME LAKE” in honor of John Hanson.