Neil Hunter Hansen

"God saw you getting tired and called you home to rest in His loving arms."

Neil Hunter Hansen, 80, of Douglasville, Georgia, passed peacefully on July 10, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. His daughters, Lisa Marie Head and Katrina Hansen Voegtlin, lovingly held his hands as he entered eternal rest.

Born on January 10, 1946, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Neil was the son of Homer and Dorothy Hansen. Although he spent a short time in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, he treasured his early childhood years in Chattanooga, where he created lasting memories of the family home on Missionary Ridge. At the age of four, his family relocated to Decatur, Georgia, where he spent his formative years and graduated from Decatur High School in 1964.

Following high school, Neil briefly pursued careers in banking and real estate while serving in the Army National Guard from 1967 to 1972. He ultimately found his calling in the plumbing industry, beginning as a salesman for a major plumbing wholesaler. His dedication and expertise led him to earn his Master Plumber's License in 1995. He later owned and operated his own plumbing company alongside his beloved second wife, Marsha Brumbelow Hansen.

Outside of work, Neil enjoyed a variety of passions that brought him great happiness throughout his life. Foremost among them was his love of dogs. At just three years old, he received his first cocker spaniel and kept a cherished photograph of himself with that dog on his desk for the rest of his life. His deep affection for animals never faded, and he truly believed, "The best friend a man can have is a dog who loves him on his worst days and celebrates him on his best." The loss of each beloved companion brought him profound sorrow, a testament to the bond he shared with them.

Neil's fascination with automobiles began early as well. He loved recounting stories of drag racing through the streets of Decatur as a teenager, particularly near what is now known as Sam's Crossing. He often joked that one of life's hardest lessons was learning that the cost of repeated speeding tickets eventually outweighed the thrill of driving fast.

As a father, Neil took great pride in maintaining his daughters' vehicles, convinced that no mechanic could replace brakes or change oil quite as well as he could. He built a three-car garage at his Douglasville home, where he amassed an impressive collection of tools and equipment. Over the

years, he rebuilt numerous engines and meticulously restored several vehicles, including his mother's 1970 Pontiac LeMans and a 1985 Chevrolet Silverado affectionately nicknamed "Fancy Pants" by one of his daughters. He also enjoyed collecting die-cast replicas of classic automobiles, which were proudly displayed in illuminated antique cabinets in his home.

Another of Neil's greatest joys was life on Lake Allatoona. He spent countless weekends with friends and family at his floating cabin, creating memories that would last a lifetime. He and Marsha were longtime members of the Allatoona Yacht Club, where they cultivated many treasured friendships and enjoyed a vibrant social life. They especially looked forward to the club's annual "Live-In Week" celebration over the Fourth of July holiday. Demonstrating his servant's heart and commitment to the boating community, Neil served as Commodore of the Allatoona Yacht Club from 1989 to 1990.

Above all else, Neil cherished his family. Nothing brought him greater joy than spending time with those he loved and creating memories that would be passed down through generations.

Neil is survived by his daughter, Lisa Marie Head, her husband, Mark Head, and his grandchildren, Arianna Driesse (Ryan Driesse) and Madison Head; his daughter, Katrina Hansen Voegtlin, her husband, Stewart Voegtlin Jr., and grandson, Trey Voegtlin III; his sister, Swan Cornell; his nieces, Connie Waters and Mary Heard; his great-niece, Morgan Waters; and his great-nephews, Mason Waters and Chandler Barnett. Additionally, he is survived by his first and second cousins in Chattanooga, Tennessee: Sally Reeve, Retired Captain T.J. Reeve III, Laura Reeve, Tad Reeve, Johnmarshall Reeve, and Holly Reeve. 

He was preceded in death by his first wife of ten years, Heide Hansen, with whom he shared two daughters, and by his second wife of thirty-five years, Marsha Brumbelow Hansen.

Following a small family graveside service, Neil will be interred in his family's plot at Greenwood Cemetery in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on August 1, 2026