Jeffery Royce Hanson

September 3, 1964 ~ September 9, 2021

Jeffrey Royce Hanson (57) of Monticello passed away September 9, 2021 at St Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, CO after complications in the ICU.

He leaves his daughter Emily Clarke and her husband Byron; son Jerod Hanson; granddaughters Kenzleigh Hanson and Adeline Clarke; parents Royce and Laurel Hanson; Uncle Devon Hanson; sister Lisa Allen and her husband Brent; and the mother of his children Pamela Pearson-Fuller.

Jeff was born on September 4, 1964 in Pierre, SD. He grew up on ranches from South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and finally Nevada where he felt most at home.

He started building his own tack and dabbling in leatherwork in his teen years as a young adult apprenticed as a saddle maker under Eddie Brooks from Spring Creek, NV for three years while also working on ranches in the Elko area.

He met and married his wife of 30 years, Pam, at Maggie Creek Ranch near Carlin, NV in 1988. They went on to raise Emily and Jerod and for 12 years lived at Kings River Ranch where he worked on the ranch during the day and built saddles in the evening.

In 2005, they moved to Monticello where Jeff started building saddles full time. He would eventually craft more than five hundred high-quality, handmade saddles that were functional and beautiful.

He had clients from all over the United States and as far away as Spain and Eastern Europe. He enjoyed getting to know all the people he made saddles for.

He would always say his saddles were “working saddles.” He wanted to see them being used and not sitting on a stand “collection dust,” though they were also beautiful enough to be displayed as works of art.

He took pride in creating new floral designs and patterns that had never been seen before.

He competed in many ranch roping competitions, won many awards, and was also asked to judge reining and roping competitions in California, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado as a well-respected cowboy/buckaroo in his field.

He trained his horses himself and won many bridle competitions with them.

His saddle-making skills and leather carving skills were admired by many. He was glad to help other saddle makers and even apprenticed some.

Jeff was humble about his talents but also braided intricate rawhide reins and riatas which he used as his own tack. All of his flower designs were original, and he had an amazing artistic eye that is much appreciated.

He has been featured in the Western Horseman Magazine for his saddle making and at the Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, NV for his craftsmanship.

He was friendly to everyone and has many good friends who love and respect him. He had a gift for making people feel comfortable and a sense of humor that charmed. He will be missed for his funny jokes and his stories.

He loved reading history books (especially about Vikings). He loved his little wiener dogs, his family, and laughing.

Talented, skilled, funny, and hardworking, Jeff will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

“Bye for now,” as Jeff would say.

Funeral services for Jeff Hanson will be held Friday, September 24, 2021 at the Monticello Stake Center, 165 South Main Street. A viewing/family greeting will begin at 10 a.m. with funeral services beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Live broadcasting will also be provided. See details on Jeff’s Facebook page.