Tom Hansen, a longtime City Council Member and public servant in the City of Paramount, passed away on May 31, 2023 in Lake Havasu, Arizona. He was 77.
Born in Fullerton, California, in 1945, Hansen moved to Paramount at the age of four. He attended Paramount public schools, went to Compton College, and then attended Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. He opened his chiropractic office in 1969 and moved it to Paramount in 1972.
“Tom was the definition of a person completely dedicated to serving his community,” said Paramount Mayor Isabel Aguayo. “His participation in the civic life of Paramount lasted more than 50 years. He was deeply involved in the changes that transformed our City from what was called an ‘urban disaster area’ to the safe, healthy, attractive, vibrant place that it is today.
“Beyond that, he was an extremely likeable man, always positive, always approachable, with an easy laugh,” she continued. “He leaves aremarkable, significant legacy of making things much better in the town where he lived. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Vivian and the family.”
Hansen was a member of the local Elks Lodge, president of the Rotary Club and member of the board of directors of the Paramount Chamber of Commerce. He served on the City’s Parks and Recreation Commission starting in the early 1970s and was named to the Planning Commission in 1996, serving until 2003.
He was elected to the City Council in 2007 and served three terms as Mayor, retiring from his seat in 2020.
As a Planning Commissioner, Hansen helped steer the City through a time of major rebirth and economic development. This included attracting major retailers like The Home Depot, Starbucks and CVS Pharmacies, construction of public spaces such as The Paramount Pond and the Civic Center Gardens and continuing the Commercial and Residential Rebate programs that encouraged the upgrading of businesses and homes throughout town.
As a Council Member and Mayor, he focused on enhancing youth and seniors programming, brought in more retailers such as major restaurant chains IHOP, The Habit and Chipotle, and maintained the close relationships between the City, the Paramount Unified School District and the local business community that is a hallmark of Paramount.
He is survived by his wife, Vivian, a longtime former member of the Paramount Board of Education, and children Chad and Amanda. He was preceded in death by son, Todd.