Wayne and Gloria Hancock January 20, 1940 - December 19, 2021

WAYNE ANTHONY HANCOCK passed peacefully at home, in his sleep, on December 19, 2021. He was age 81.

His sweetheart, GLORIA ECHEVESTE HANCOCK, passed away April 24, 2020, at the beginning of the Corona Virus Shutdown, and was not able to have a funeral at the time. Wayne and Gloria walked side by side in life for more than 60 years. So, it is only appropriate that they are side by side for this tender chapter as we, their family, recognize their life together. Notable on the day Wayne passed away, during our loss and sadness, it came to us that the next day was going to be their 62nd wedding anniversary. Suddenly,  our sadness was replaced with the sweet thought that Mom came and got Dad so they could spend their anniversary together. Somehow, that realization just made everything right.

Wayne and Gloria had a love for one another that was unmatched. They met while cruising Central Avenue in Phoenix, in the late 1950s, which was a popular thing to do at the time. They were soon married December 20, 1959, in Phoenix, Arizona, where they lived most of their lives, raising their three sons: Wayne Anthony Jr, Craig Allen, and Dennis Keith.

Wayne was born January 20, 1940, in Kingman, Arizona, to Warren Hancock of Pinedale, Arizona; and Dolly Mae (Monzingo) Hancock of Wilcox, Arizona. Wayne had three brothers and two sisters and is survived by his sister, Mary Felix, of Humboldt, Arizona, with whom he shares a birthday.

Gloria was born June 6, 1939, in Los Angeles, California, to John Echeveste and Mary (Ramero) Echeveste. Gloria had two sisters and one brother; and is survived by her sister, Betty Haynes, of Prescott, Arizona; and her brother, John “Johnny” Echeveste, of Fontana, California.

Wayne and Gloria are preceded in death by their sons, Wayne Anthony Jr and Craig Allen; and are survived by their youngest son, Dennis Hancock, of Alpine, Utah.  Also survived by eight grandsons and three granddaughters, which they always took any opportunity to brag about: Allen, Aaron, Tyler, Trevor, Jamie Lynn, Daphne, Amanda Mae, Harrison, Houston, Berkeley and Samuel. And they are proud grandparents to seven great-grandchildren: Theseus, Priseis, Zaya, Gannicus, Eli, Hudson and Mars.

Wayne graduated from Sunny Slope High-School, Class of 1958, where he excelled at football and wrestling.

Gloria graduated from West High School, where she enjoyed singing and playing guitar for a band called Strumming Amigos. She was in a horrific auto accident, that killed her sister, Ernestina, in her freshman year of high school, and left Gloria fighting for life. After months of hospitalization, she recovered and was again able to attend, and finish, high school.

Wayne provided well for his family as a general contractor and owned several construction companies specializing in stucco.  He built hundreds of buildings, condominiums, strip malls, schools, and homes throughout the states of Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah.   He was a very hard worker and even survived being bit by a rattlesnake, two separate times, while on the job in the deserts of Arizona.

Gloria was a fabulous cook in her younger years. Owning countless cookbooks, she would read them for hours, as though they were a novel. She enjoyed entertaining friends and family. She had a gregarious personality and spoke Spanish fluently; and could make friends instantly with anybody, leaving a crowd of strangers in laughter.

In their early years of raising their family, Wayne and Gloria spent their summers in Oceanside, California, building valued memories at the beach condo with her sister, Betty, and brother-in-law, George Haynes (and their three children: George, Liz and Rick).  They loved traveling, shopping, and eating out. They knew all the best restaurants.

Wayne took great pride in his Hancock ancestral lines as a descendent cousin of John Hancock, signer of the Declaration of Independence, as well as being a 5th generation descendant of Levi W. Hancock, one of the early converts and a General Authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Gloria converted to the Mormon church several years after she and Wayne were married. They were sealed together in the Mesa Temple, 1983.  They both enjoyed their service and friendships that they made in the many LDS wards they lived in over the years and they were both people of great faith in Jesus Christ.

We will forever cherish the legacy they leave of hard work, the importance of laughter, the pride of family; and, of course, the love of Mexican food, Doritos, and Dr. Pepper.

A special heartfelt “Thank You” to Dr. Joshua Oaks of Bountiful Internal Medicine for his proficient medical care of Grandpa Wayne, and especially his friendship over the past three years. We also want to thank Grandpa’s home health nurse, Keena; and physical therapist, Spencer, for their tender care.

A Memorial Service for both Wayne and Gloria will be held Thursday, December 30, 2021, at 11 a.m., at the LDS Chapel, 98 East Canyon Crest Road, Alpine, Utah 84004

The greatest tribute is an expression of love.  In lieu of flowers, Wayne and Gloria would want you to express your love to those you value.

Condolences may be sent to the family at: denniskhancock@gmail.com