Obituary for Warren L. Hanks
WARREN L. HANKS
Warren L. Hanks, 86, of Bonner Springs, KS passed away at his home on December 30, 2021. His Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, Friday January 7, and the Funeral services will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, January 8, both at the First Christian Church of Bonner Springs, 148 N. Nettleton, Bonner Springs, KS 66012. The family has suggested memorial contributions to First Christian Church or to Phoenix Hospice, 6803 W. 64th St., Suite 101, Overland Park, KS, 66202, or a charity of choice.
Warren was born on June 30, 1935 in Kansas City, KS and was a lifetime citizen of Bonner Springs, KS. He attended Grades K-8th at the one room Twist School and graduated from Bonner Springs High School in 1953. Warren was drafted into the U.S. Army and served 2 years. He next worked several jobs, including pump manufacturing, appliance repair, and selling tires. In 1969 he began a 20-year career as a certified Welding Inspector with H.R. Inspection Services in Shawnee, KS.
Warren started his long fire service commitment as a volunteer firefighter on the Bonner Springs Fire Department in 1965. His career spanned close to 38 years, 25 as Fire Chief. He was also, Assistant Chief on the Delaware Township Volunteer Fire Department, until dissolution of the Township. From 1989 to 2004, Warren was the Building and Codes Inspector, for the City of Bonner Springs.
Over the years, Chief Hanks served numerous leadership positions in Regional, State, National and International Professional Associations. The Kansas State Association of Fire Chiefs honored him as the “Fire Chief of the Year” in 2000. The year 2002, brought recognition as the Bonner Springs/Edwardsville Chamber of Commerce Community Service Citizen. Induction into the Bonner Springs High School Hall of Fame was in 2017, and he received the 2021 Marion Vaughn Community Service Award by the City of Bonner Springs. He is also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Kansas Society
Through the years he was a member of the Crank Twisters Auto Club, JayCees and a JCI Senator, Rotary and a Paul Harris Foundation Fellow. In retirement, Warren enjoyed refurbishing his 1964 and 1969 Thunderbird cars. He was active in the Vintage Thunderbirds of Kansas City Club and served as President.
Warren is survived by his wife of 48 years, Jane (Robertson) Hanks, of the home; three children, Keith Hanks of Manhattan, KS, Terry Hanks of Shawnee, KS, and Dawn Martens of Bonner Springs, KS. Six grandchildren Stephanie Harris (Ian), Taylor Hanks, Brianna Hanks, Jordyn Hanks, Jaidyn Hanks, and Chelsea Simmons (Morgan Thomas); and three great grandchildren. Also missing Warren are additional family, friends, previous co-workers, Brothers and Sisters in the Fire Service, and many, whose lives have been impacted by his philosophy and actions: “Service to humanity is the best work of life.”
Warren L. Hanks, 86, of Bonner Springs, KS passed away at his home on December 30, 2021. His Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, Friday January 7, and the Funeral services will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, January 8, both at the First Christian Church of Bonner Springs, 148 N. Nettleton, Bonner Springs, KS 66012. The family has suggested memorial contributions to First Christian Church or to Phoenix Hospice, 6803 W. 64th St., Suite 101, Overland Park, KS, 66202, or a charity of choice.
Warren was born on June 30, 1935 in Kansas City, KS and was a lifetime citizen of Bonner Springs, KS. He attended Grades K-8th at the one room Twist School and graduated from Bonner Springs High School in 1953. Warren was drafted into the U.S. Army and served 2 years. He next worked several jobs, including pump manufacturing, appliance repair, and selling tires. In 1969 he began a 20-year career as a certified Welding Inspector with H.R. Inspection Services in Shawnee, KS.
Warren started his long fire service commitment as a volunteer firefighter on the Bonner Springs Fire Department in 1965. His career spanned close to 38 years, 25 as Fire Chief. He was also, Assistant Chief on the Delaware Township Volunteer Fire Department, until dissolution of the Township. From 1989 to 2004, Warren was the Building and Codes Inspector, for the City of Bonner Springs.
Over the years, Chief Hanks served numerous leadership positions in Regional, State, National and International Professional Associations. The Kansas State Association of Fire Chiefs honored him as the “Fire Chief of the Year” in 2000. The year 2002, brought recognition as the Bonner Springs/Edwardsville Chamber of Commerce Community Service Citizen. Induction into the Bonner Springs High School Hall of Fame was in 2017, and he received the 2021 Marion Vaughn Community Service Award by the City of Bonner Springs. He is also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Kansas Society
Through the years he was a member of the Crank Twisters Auto Club, JayCees and a JCI Senator, Rotary and a Paul Harris Foundation Fellow. In retirement, Warren enjoyed refurbishing his 1964 and 1969 Thunderbird cars. He was active in the Vintage Thunderbirds of Kansas City Club and served as President.
Warren is survived by his wife of 48 years, Jane (Robertson) Hanks, of the home; three children, Keith Hanks of Manhattan, KS, Terry Hanks of Shawnee, KS, and Dawn Martens of Bonner Springs, KS. Six grandchildren Stephanie Harris (Ian), Taylor Hanks, Brianna Hanks, Jordyn Hanks, Jaidyn Hanks, and Chelsea Simmons (Morgan Thomas); and three great grandchildren. Also missing Warren are additional family, friends, previous co-workers, Brothers and Sisters in the Fire Service, and many, whose lives have been impacted by his philosophy and actions: “Service to humanity is the best work of life.”