Sean Gary Hancock

Beloved Father, Son, Brother, and Friend • June 11, 1984 – April 11, 2026

Sean was born on June 11, 1984, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He passed away on April 11, 2026, at the age of 41, leaving behind a daughter he adored, a family who cherished him, and a wide circle of friends whose lives are better for having known him. He was a man defined not by how he died, but by how he lived — with strength, generosity, determination, and an enormous heart.

Sean threw himself into life with everything he had. He was a Spartan racer who trained hard and pushed himself to his limits, and he brought that same drive to hiking, biking, and every adventure the mountains could offer. He loved the outdoors — trips to Moab and the mountains with his close friends were among his greatest joys — and he had a strong, loyal gym community that meant the world to him. Sean valued his fitness and his health, and he led by example in everything he pursued.

For more than twenty years, Sean devoted himself to his work at Costco, where he consistently held leadership roles. He was the kind of leader people genuinely wanted to follow — dedicated, present, and deeply invested in the people around him. He didn’t just manage; he mentored, encouraged, and lifted others up. Coworkers knew they could count on him, and he took that responsibility seriously.

Sean had the biggest heart in the world, and he used it every day. He was compassionate, strong-willed, funny, and adventurous — a man who could make anyone feel at ease and who genuinely cared about the people in his life. He loved good food and good company, whether that meant a meal with family or a hard-earned meal after a long day on the trail. He took pride in his home and his beloved big red truck, and he had an exceptional taste in movies and games.

Sean’s greatest joy in life was his daughter, Kylie. The two of them were the very best of friends. Before Sean entered the hospital, they spent as much time together as possible — trick-or-treating, laughing, and simply being with each other. He loved watching her grow up, and everything he did, he did with her in mind.

In February 2024, Sean fell ill with pneumonia and was eventually diagnosed with interstitial lung disease and an autoimmune disease. On November 6, 2025, he received a double lung transplant at University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City, where he would spend the final months of his life under the care of an exceptional team of doctors and nurses. What followed was an extraordinary display of the strength his family and friends had always known him to have. Over six months in the ICU, Sean endured fourteen procedures. His medical team was consistently in awe of his willpower and determination. He fought his way off the ventilator, off the feeding tube, and back onto his own two feet, walking through physical therapy and preparing to come home. It was a cruel and sudden turn when infection spread to his blood and took him from us on April 11, 2026. His passing was completely unexpected, and we are so proud of every moment of his fight.

Sean is survived by his daughter, Kylie; his mother, Jo Ann; his sisters, Mandy and Lacy; his brother-in-law, Ben; and his grandparents, Don and Claudia. He leaves behind a community of friends and family whose lives he changed simply by being in them.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Sean's mother's house in Draper, Utah on Saturday, June 20th, from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. All family and friends are invited to attend to share memories, condolences, and celebrate his life journey.