Darnell Kent Hancock, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2026 at his home in Spanish Fork surrounded by his wife Rhea Jean and his children.
His children are Clark and Dezlee Hancock of St. George, Lorraine and Greg Allan of Spanish Fork, Kurt and Angie Hancock of Hooper, Kelly and Cathy Hancock of Salem, Leann and Kelly Wood of Santaquin, and Craig and Michelle Hancock of Santaquin. He has also left behind 45 grandchildren and 24 great-grand children.

Our Dad was born in Spanish Fork and grew up there. He graduated from Spanish Fork High School in 1952. As a young man he spent his summers with his family in Idaho where his dad drove the big Caterpillars doing land leveling. During their time up North, he and his Mother worked in the fields during the potato and tomato harvests to earn extra money.

After graduation from high school, Dad attended Central Utah Vocational School to learn body and fender repair and restoration. He worked for Spanish Fork Feed and Geneva Steel.

He was drafted into the Army in 1956 leaving home in the Fall for Tacoma Washington to go through Basic Training. He returned home three months later to marry his sweetheart, Rhea Jean Johnson, in the Manti Temple, on December 27th. Dad had to leave his bride in Spanish Fork to finish her high school education and graduate, as he was transferred to Fort Bliss Army Base in South Central New Mexico. He returned home a few months later to retrieve his bride, attend her graduation, and head back to New Mexico. Dad fulfilled his military obligation and he and our mom returned home 16 months later, bought a house, started their family and lived in Spanish Fork for the rest of his life.

After Dad returned from the Army he returned to Geneva Steel briefly before going to work for Hercules Aerospace in Magna, working in Testing and Method Development. He retired after working for 32 years.

Our parents bought a camping trailer and we spent many family vacations camping at Bryce Canyon and other beautiful Utah places. Dad loved Bryce Canyon the most.

Fifty-three years ago, Dad and several of his friends decided to build their own ski boats. So from then on, boating at Lake Powell became our new family vacation destination.

Dad always had a desire for restoring, repairing and driving beautiful cars and trucks. His vehicles were always immaculate. He always had a dream to own a Harley Davidson Motorcycle. Eventually, he got the one he wanted and it was beautiful but by the time he got it he felt he had waited too long—he didn't feel it was safe to have our mom on the back. So he chose to sell it.

He taught us how to work hard and take care of the things we had. He kept everything in good repair. He rarely felt the need to buy anything new because he could fix anything.

Dad and Mom were members of the Old Time Fiddlers Association where Dad was elected and accepted a two-year term as President. He took that calling very seriously and fulfilled the duties of President totally committed.

In his later years he liked to sit outside in his lawn chair and watch the activity and traffic on Canyon Drive. He earned the title of "The Neighborhood Watch" by even the youngest kids on the block. If the kids didn't see him in his chair, they would ask "Where's Darnell?"

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kent and Erma Hancock, his in-laws, Heber Johnson and Norma Johnson, his sister and brother-in-law, Coleen and Gary Boyter, his brother-in-law Keith Huff, and three grandchildren, Celene Hancock, Peyton Wood and Will Roach. He has one living sister, Carol Huff.

A public viewing will be held on Friday, July 17th, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Walker Mortuary, 187 South Main Street, Spanish Fork, Utah. A viewing will also take place on Saturday morning, July 18th from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the LDS chapel located at 1552 East 750 South Spanish Fork followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS chapel located at 1552 East 750 South Spanish Fork. Interment in Spanish Fork Cemetery.