Mitchell Mark Hanson

Mitchell Mark Hanson, 28, of Littleton, Co, died suddenly and accidentally January 15, 2015. Mitch was born June 19, 1986, in Tulsa, OK to Mark and Penny Hanson, and older brother Eric. The Hansons moved to Colorado in 1993, and Mitch grew up in Ken Caryl Valley near Littleton, and attended Bradford Elementary and Deer Creek Middle School. While at Deer Creek, Mitch announced to his family that he had chosen his profession: he was going to be a history teacher. Mitch attended Littleton High School to study in the International Baccalaureate Program. As he was from out-of-district, Mitch knew only a handful of students when he started LHS. That soon changed! At the end of the first six weeks, he was on the varsity tennis team, marching band drum line, was president of the freshman class and had a date for Homecoming. Mitch thrived at LHS, and when he was done he had been to the State Championships with the tennis team, was the drum line section head and center snare, and delivered the Class of 2005's commencement address as Student Body President. Upon graduation, he was awarded the Spirit Scholarship from the Littleton Public Schools Foundation. Mitch enrolled at the University of Colorado-Boulder, as part of the President's Leadership Class. While at CU, he marched with the CU drum line and was fortunate to march in two bowl games. His biggest connection at CU was with the President's Leadership Class, where he was challenged to become the best citizen and community leader possible. Mitch developed a wanderlust and love of history while traveling extensively with his family. While at CU, he participated in teaching programs in China and Costa Rica. He visited his brother Eric at his home in the Netherlands on four occasions, and also spent a Spring Break in Italy. Mitch graduated in 2009 with a degree in history. After student teaching at Littleton High School, he took a job at Montbello High in Denver as a web design teacher, with the hope of transitioning to a social studies or history position. In 2011, Mitch got his dream job: teaching social studies at Smoky Hill High School in the Cherry Creek School District. At Smoky, he was an AVID teacher, drum line coach, and Mock Trial director. Mitch enrolled in a Masters Program in History at the University of Denver while he taught at Smoky. Mitch was an accomplished cyclist, completing many challenging rides, including the Triple By Pass, Tour de Steamboat, and the 2014 Ride the Rockies. He loved to bang drums, and in addition to the marching bands, had actual paying gigs around the Front Range with a garage band. Mitch left us much too soon, however his spirit and energy are all around us. He will always be the zippity doo da, cartwheeling, drumming best friend and favorite teacher of all those who knew him. TTFN sweet Mitch. Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, 01/24/15, 2:00 PM, St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 9203 South University Blvd., Highlands Ranch, CO 80126.