Gary Edwin Hanman was born on January 30, 1934, in Enterprise, Missouri to Doris Lillian (Crist ) Hanman and John Edwin (Ted) Hanman. He was born in a blizzard, the doctor could not get there and no birth certificate was issued. Delivered by his grandmother, this challenging start seemed to predict his passion for life and determination. He was the second of four children. Mary Jo was a year older, Patricia and Barbara three and five years younger. Barbara and her family still reside on the six generation family farm.
Gary grew up on his parents general livestock farm in North Central Missouri, he attended a one-room rural grade school, where his mother was the teacher. It was a happy childhood with memories of leading the mules at ploughing & harvest, watching the first rural electric pole holes being dug by his dad and neighbors so oil lamps were a thing of the past, going into town on a Saturday night to sell eggs and buy provisions and making homemade rafts with his sisters on their ponds. Gary graduated from Browning High School in 1951.
He studied at the University of Missouri-Columbia and during his second year he met Shirley Warren again, she had been in his high school class and they had grown up in neighboring communities. They dated a year and were married on August 16th 1953 while they were both still attending MU. Their first child Vicky Lea was born in 1954 and it took Shirley working and Gary having two jobs as welder and busboy to continue with his studies.
He earned a B.S. degree in Agriculture in 1955 and a Masters degree in Agricultural Economics in 1956. In 1956 he was employed by the Federal Milk Market Administrator in St Louis Mo. He served there for 8 years. During that time three more children were born, Sandra Jeanne 1957, Cynthia Kaye 1960 and Theodore Edwin 1961. They remember taking care of rabbits and hundreds of tomatoes to supplement income at that time! Gary was assistant market administrator when he left in Feb. 1964 to become manager of the Square Deal Milk Producers Association in Highland Illinois. Square Deal was one of five dairy cooperatives that consolidated in July 1968 to form Mid- America Dairymen Inc. in Springfield Missouri. Gary was hired as one of their Vice Presidents at the time. In May 1975 Gary was named General Manager of Mid-Am. a position he held until 1998.
The family moved to Marshfield Mo. in 1970, a place they all feel was 'home.' Shirley was a tower of strength to Gary as his responsibilities and time away from the family grew. During this time eight much loved grandchildren were born. Matthew, Tyler, Anne, Amanda, Peter, Ian, Michael and Lydia grew up blessed by Gary and Shirley's delight in them, generosity toward them and time spent on the farm, fishing trips and family reunions, where they became familiar with the extended family. Throughout his career Gary worked diligently to unify dairy farmers, to maximize their returns and provide unparalleled service. A highlight of his visionary leadership was the creation of Dairy Farmers of America in 1998 which he helped establish by assembling four diverse cooperatives into a single entity and growing it into the nations largest dairy cooperative. Gary served as DFA's President and CEO from its inception until his retirement in December 2005.
He and Shirley moved to Platte City, Mo. in 2000 embracing their new jobs, church and community. Gary lost his beloved Shirley in December 2017. He continued living his life to the full without a complaint and was thrilled to welcome five new great grandchildren; Shirley, Arthur, Matilda, Amelia and Brooks. Gary led a remarkable life. Its arc from humble roots to running a multinational company may never be seen again. He had tremendous vision, energy and industry but perhaps his greatest strength was his consistency. No matter who he was dealing with Gary was always the same. He had the gift, when speaking to people, of making them believe they were the only person who mattered. He was endlessly positive and friendly with a talent for inspiring others. He never forgot his roots, his favorite pastimes of hunting and fishing, his faith in God and his concern, respect and generosity towards his family whom he loved and provided for so well.
Funeral services for Gary will be held on Saturday December 27th 2025 at the Platte City United Methodist Church. Visitation 9am to Noon. Memorial Service at Noon. Burial will be at Enterprise Cemetery, Browning Mo. on Sunday December 28th at 1pm. Donations to Enterprise Cemetery please. c/o Christine Hedges, 11963 Holly Drive Browning, Mo. 64630 Arrangements By: Rollins Funeral Home, Platte City, MO.
