March 9, 1926- July 22, 2019

Sheridan native, Hanley Graden Cohn, was a Renaissance man, with interests ranging from classical music to camping in the wilderness. He possessed the spirit of adventure right to the end and was perpetually up for any activity. He loved attending concerts and had played the Hawaiian guitar and keyboard in his own band for years. Hanley revered the great outdoors and panoramic landscapes, which was reflected in his photography. He was in awe of wildlife and was a cat- and dog-lover and would talk to any animals he encountered when out.

Hanley enjoyed reminiscing about his adventures over the course of his life. He was a World War II veteran, serving in the Navy as a signalman. He was stationed on Iwo Jima and spent some time in northern Japan after the war. He worked as a photographer locally and in Los Angeles. When people would ask Hanley what his occupation had been, he liked to impishly say he had “sold strippers” and would laugh at their shocked expressions before clarifying that he had sold floor strippers all over the country. He was active in Boy Scouts from 1938-1961 as both a Boy Scout and Scout Executive, and was on the Central Wyoming Council from 1951-1954. He was also a member of the First Christian Church. Hanley was not a teacher per se, but we all learned from him as he dispensed his wisdom over scones and steaming cups of peppermint mocha.

Hanley relished taking time to smell the flowers, literally and figuratively. Had he been asked, he would have said, “I have had an absolutely beautiful life….yep, yep, yep!”

Hanley is survived by his two nieces, Barbara Morren and Debbie Cohn; his cousin Darlene McNair, friends at Dementia Friendly Wyoming and The Hub.

His close friend, Lewis Calvin Ukmar, preceded him in death.

A big thank-you to all who made Hanley’s final year so fulfilling: Dementia-Friendly Wyoming, The Hub, Mel’s Helping Hands, Help at Home, the VA Home Health Services and to any of you who took the time to make small talk with him. You all brightened his life as he did ours. A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, August 23rd at 2:00 p.m. at the Hub.

Donations in Hanley’s memory may be made to The Hub, 211 Smith St., Sheridan, WY 82801, or the Dog & Cat Shelter, 84 East Ridge Rd., Sheridan, WY 82801.

The Sheridan Press - Aug. 14, 2019.