Gordon Thead Hanks

Gordon Thead Hanks passed away on November 4, 2026 surrounded by his loving family, due to complications following a heart procedure.

Gordon was born November 19, 1948 to Thead “Ted” James and Rhoda Mae Hanks in Burley, Idaho, on a very snowy day. He was the fourth of five children, with three older sisters, Carol, Marie, and Louise, and a younger brother and partner in crime, Gary.

Gordon grew up on his family farm, helping his dad with the cows early in the mornings, walking uphill both ways to school, doing as little brothers do, and working in the fields along the Snake River. When the farm work was done, he enjoyed sports, hunting, fishing, family gatherings, and family vacations. As a teenager, he helped his dad clear sagebrush (while embracing his intense allergies) on new land a few miles away and cultivated it into a prosperous farm. He had a very happy childhood. He loved his family and community deeply.

He was a bobcat at Burley High School and had the unique experience of taking biology from his own dad. He loved playing football under the Friday night lights. He earned the only full-ride scholarship in his graduating class. That full-ride athletic scholarship took him to Boise State University, which he would only say with a hand over his heart, and where he had a great time playing football.

After his freshman year at Boise State, he faithfully served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Birmingham, England. It was a great experience that he cherished for the rest of his life. Upon returning home, he transferred to Brigham Young University, where he played football during the spring term before focusing on his studies and enjoying campus life.

While attending BYU, Gordon met a beautiful blond while she was playing powder puff football and he was smitten. He married Colleen Millet on June 8, 1973, in the Salt Lake Temple and built a wonderful family of six children—five daughters and a son. Gordon graduated from BYU in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a minor in Zoology.

After graduation, Gordon and Colleen and their young family moved to Rexburg, Idaho. Gordon followed his passion for teaching and football and became the assistant football coach and biology teacher at Madison High School. In 1976, just one week before the Teton Dam broke, they moved to Murray, Utah, and Gordon became the head football coach at Granger High School. He often reminisced about his time at those schools; he loved coaching football, working with the kids, and sharing his love of the game with the players.

In 1978 Gordon built a new home for his family in Sandy, where he and Colleen raised their children and made lifelong friendships. He later left coaching to work for a health insurance company and eventually built his own thriving insurance business.

On weekends, Gordon and Colleen packed up the kids to snow ski at Snowbird in the winter. The first tram and nearly the last tram of the day was not an option but the expectation; a break could not be taken until 1pm for a one-hour lunch. During the summers he and his family spent most of their free time in the warm summer sun of Lake Powell. He installed an 80-gallon gas tank in the boat to ensure sunup to sundown waterskiing. This is where magical memories were created and life lessons were applied. He believed in family first, working hard, and serving one another.

Gordon and Colleen faithfully attended BYU games for decades, often taking their children and instilling a love for the Cougars. They also took frequent Harley trips together with large groups of friends all over the United States and into Canada, as well as many enjoyable day trips around home. As their children grew older and married, they loved spending time with their grandchildren at dance and sporting events, holiday festivities, Sunday family dinners, and creating lasting memories.

In 2012, Colleen tragically passed away from brain cancer and he was devastated.

On June 22, 2013, Gordon married Karen Jaten in the Draper Temple. He was grateful for her companionship, friendship, encouragement, and love. His family grew to include four stepchildren, their spouses, and 16 step-grandchildren, all of whom he welcomed with open arms and loved. Together, Gordon and Karen loved and served their combined family, hosting gatherings, attending endless grandkid events and celebrating their every success with kindness and love. Additionally, Gordon and Karen enjoyed snow skiing, water skiing, and Harley trips for many more years together.

Gordon was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with a lifelong testimony of his Savior. He started every day with prayer on his knees, studied the scriptures, and then got to work. He honored and valued his priesthood and blessed his children and grandchildren with it. He willingly served in many Church callings, including gospel doctrine teacher, scout master (while his only son was in the program), bishop of a young single adult ward, bishopric counselor, and served on several high councils.

Gordon was a master teacher with a special gift for connecting gospel principles and football analogies to everyday life. Whether teaching a class or speaking to a congregation, he captivated and inspired listeners with his intellect, humor, storytelling, and testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Gordon was a doer. He never sat on the sidelines. He always wanted to be in the game fighting the good fight. He jumped in, worked hard, and played hard. He often said, “a job worth doing, is worth doing well.” He was witty, made people feel comfortable, could talk to anyone, and had many humorous and endearing “Gordon-isms.”

Above all, Gordon loved his family deeply. Their happiness and well-being were always his greatest concern, and he made countless sacrifices throughout his life to provide for them and help them succeed. Through his example, he taught his family to face hard things with courage and perseverance. He was loyal, dependable, adventurous, and ever calm in the presence of a crisis. His family and friends will remember his strength, humor, wisdom, generosity, and the countless ways he enriched their lives. His legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him, and in the generations to come.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Thead “Ted” James and Rhoda Mae Hanks; his first wife, Colleen; and his infant daughter, Holly. He is survived by his wife, Karen; five children, Alicia (Jason) Smith, Stephanie (Mike) Talbot, Natalie Snow, Scott (Katie) Hanks, and Heather (Josh) Ragsdale; four stepchildren, Dustin (Kim) Taylor, Tera (Jake) Olson, Brian (Andrea) Taylor, and Marci (Jake) Spendlove; 15 grandchildren, 16 step-grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild.

Funeral services and viewing will be held at the Mountain Point 6th Ward building, 498 East Hollow Creek Road, Draper, Utah.

 Viewing: Friday, November 13, 2026, 6:00–8:00 p.m.
 Viewing: Saturday, November 14, 2026, 10:00–10:45 a.m.
 Funeral Service: Saturday, November 14, 2026, 11:00 a.m.

Interment will follow at Larkin Sunset Gardens.

To view Gordon's service online via Zoom, please click the tab above that says "Watch Services."