Cochran - Andrew Keith "Pete" Hanson, age 71, passed away Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at Bryant Nursing Center in Cochran. Funeral services will be held Sunday, December 31, 2023, at 3:00 P.M. in the chapel of Mathis Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery.

Keith was a lifelong resident of Cochran and a member of the Cochran High Class of 1970.  He was born in Forsyth, GA to Walter and Mary Helen Hanson.  He grew up raising horses and leading trail rides for Rocking H Stables and became an avid horseman where he won many show competitions all around the state.  He had a favorite spot where he would sneak away on horseback and after graduating high school, he built his own house on that spot and lived there until his final days.  Keith loved flea markets, antiques, fishing and simply being outside.  He has collected some incredible relics from 19th Century farm life and proudly displayed them at his favorite event, the Georgia State Fair in Perry.  Many of these items won awards each year, and he enjoyed talking to people about how tools were used 200 years ago.  When not searching for treasures at nearby flea markets, you could find him on the river or at his pond with a fishing pole in hand, or maybe by a campfire playing your favorite song on his harmonica. Many people know Keith from his 37 years at Lithonia Lighting where he worked a variety of jobs and finished as the shipping supervisor.  After Lithonia Lighting moved their operations away from Cochran, Keith remained there as the building supervisor and put the final lock on the establishment where so many people went to work every day.

Keith is survived by his beloved wife of 43 years, Erleene Peacock Hanson of Cochran; his son Justin Hanson of Crestview, FL; his daughter Kristen (Jameson) Shepherd of Cochran; his stepson, Eric (Christi) Sikes of Newnan; his stepdaughter, Jacqueline (Brian) Curls of North Ft Meyer's, FL; his grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Jenna, Hailey, Lindsey, Jonathan, Samantha, Aiden, Christian, Caleb and Jason; his sister, Kay (Ronald) Williams of Cochran and numerous nieces and nephews and their beloved families.

A visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home on Friday, December 29, 2023, from 5:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. and the family will also greet friends one hour before the service Sunday, December 31, 2023 at Mathis Funeral Home.