Lotis R. Hanks, who had served three stints as mayor of Lafayette, died Wednesday, Dec. 16, at Sunnyside Medical Center in Clackamas. He was 74.

"I thoroughly enjoyed working with him," said City Administrator Diane Rinks. "He was involved and went in and out of politics. He knew the history."

In fact, Hanks continued his contact with the city and had stopped by city hall about two weeks ago.

Rinks said Hanks was very instrumental in his involvement with the group that built the community center and started Heritage Days.

"He was a caring individual," she said.

Trena McManus, assistant to the city administrator, agreed. "He cared a lot about the city of Lafayette," she said. "He lived here for decades and always wanted to do the best for the citizens. He was a pleasure to work with."

Hanks served as mayor from March of 1981 through Dec. 1982; from Jan. 1991 through July 1993; and, most recently, won an emergency election by write-in votes, serving from March 2002 to Dec. 2004. Prior to serving as mayor, Hanks spent time on the city council.

Hanks was born March 21, 1935, in Carbon, Iowa. In 1969, he moved with his wife, Zorada, to Carlton, where they farmed 500 acres and started a construction company, Don & Lotis Construction, with partner Don Wolf. The couple moved to Lafayette in 1974.

Survivors include his wife; two children, John Hanks of Sedro-Woolley, Wash. and Lisa Harris of Banks; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23, at the Lafayette Community Church with interment at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery in McMinnville. Arrangements are under the direction of Macy & Son Funeral Directors of McMinnville.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Lotis R. Hanks Memorial Fund and deposited at any OnPoint Community Credit Union.

To leave online condolences, visit www.macyandson.com.