Gerald “Jerry” Hansen was born on December 19, 1943, and passed away on May 31, 2024, with family by his side. Known to many as “Billy Goat” he was the second of eight children, and the only son of Arnold “Budd” and Beverly (Beauchamp) Hansen. He was born in Fortuna while his parents lived with Aunt Annie Giacomini in Centerville. The family built a home on the Beauchamp homestead in Freshwater, and he started school at Garfield Elementary. They later moved back to Centerville where they resided on the dairy started by his grandfather, Carl Hansen. There he attended Ferndale Elementary and Ferndale High School.

As a sophomore at Ferndale High School, the first time he saw Gloria Silva get on the school bus he stated that he was going to marry her one day. They were married on April 18, 1962, and spent the next 62 years together.

While in high school, Jerry participated in FFA, the marching band, track, tumbling and football. As a senior, he was proud to receive the MVP award for football. After graduating from high school, he did relief milking and hay hauling for many local farmers and was a delivery driver for Ferndale Meats when it was owned by his uncle Wes Duncan. When his father died in a Coast Guard helicopter accident while serving as a volunteer spotter during the 1964 flood, Jerry took over the family dairy in Centerville. In 1973 he moved his family to Grizzly Bluff, where they downsized the dairy, and he started driving truck. He drove for Yancy Feed, hauled potatoes, drove for Whitchurch Hay, Don Nolan and Kelly Concrete, among others, while keeping the dairy going. In 1978 he purchased his own log truck and started “Hansen Truckin.” His old green Kenworth was well known in the timber industry, and Jerry was proud that the truck had over 1.8 million miles on it. He was a mentor for many aspiring truck drivers, including some of his grandsons. Jerry also really enjoyed old tractors, especially John Deere, and had a collection of vintage models. He enjoyed participating in Ferndale’s annual lighted tractor parade for many years.

He started racing go-carts with friends on a track built on the dairy in Centerville. He later joined the Six Rivers Racing Association and participated in stock car racing. He raced cars 97 and later 15, and was a big help to other drivers, including his close friend, Larry Pries. In 1969 he was presented with an award for helping other drivers.

Jerry was a member of the Farm Bureau, a lifetime member of Native Sons of the Golden West and a major blood donor, having donated over 10 gallons. He was also a big supporter of the Humboldt County Junior Livestock Auction, purchasing animals for many years.

Jerry was passionate about his family and worked incredibly hard to provide for them. When asked what was most important to him, Jerry quickly and emphatically replied that family was the only thing that mattered. He was so proud of his grandchildren, which they never doubted. He took every opportunity to get family together, whether it be a large family reunion, a holiday BBQ or a small family dinner. He led by example, instilling in all of us the importance of both hard work and good manners. He was very generous and will be remembered for joking and teasing, especially the kids. They were surprised with his teeth coming out and wet willies with his stubby finger. He was known for being opinionated, yet was always fully supportive and accepting of his family. Among his memorable advice was to never eat truck stop meatloaf.

He had an unwavering commitment to children and schools. He attended as many school and athletic events as possible. He was a member and President of the Grizzly Bluff school board until the school closed. Later he was elected to the Ferndale Unified School District board, where he served multiple terms. He supported all student activities, and was an avid athletic booster, traveling all around for competitions, even when his grandchildren weren’t participating. Additionally, each year he provided eggs to the elementary school for classes to hatch chicks.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 62 years, Gloria (Silva) Hansen. He is also survived by his sons Carl and Robert, along with his daughters, Linda (Bob) Anderson and Alice Rye. He was so proud of his grandchildren, Kristen (Mitch), Derek (Shelby) and Celia (Jessica) Hansen, Michael and Alyssa Anderson, Christopher (Kaitlyn) and Travis Rye, and Andrew and Mathew Hansen. He loved spending time with his great grandchildren Weston, Madison, Ivan and Brynn Beddow, Nora Hansen, Isaac and Marcus Rye. He was looking forward to welcoming the latest family additions, including Patrick Gerald Rye, who arrived shortly after his passing.

He is also survived by his sisters, Judy Lynch, Becky (Craig) Hill and Julie (Dave) Alber, along with many nieces and nephews. In particular he really appreciated all of the help he received from his nephew, Russell Alber, who helped keep his truck and tractors running.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Budd and Beverly Hansen, his son Larry, his sisters Bonnie Hill, Linda Hansen, Darlene Hamilton and Shirley Roby, his brothers-in-law Ivan Lynch, Bill Hill, Jack Roby, his nephews Gene Hill and Henry Alber, his great-nephew Colton Hamilton and his in-laws Henry and Angie Silva.

A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, June 29 at the Ferndale Veterans Building from 2 to 5 p.m., where friends are invited to join the family in sharing memories.