Stephen Lane Hancock

Stephen (Steve) Lane Hancock, 50, of Missoula, Montana, passed away on Sunday, April 26, 2026 in his hometown of Prineville, Oregon. He was born on October 18, 1975, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to James (Jim) Leonard Hancock and Colleen Lee (White) Hancock.

Steve was the only son of Jim and Colleen and was brother to one sister, Rebecca (Becky). As a child he lived in New Mexico, Virginia, and Oregon.

Steve graduated from Crook County High School (Prineville, Oregon) in 1994. He was a strong athlete in the sports of competitive swimming, football, baseball, and basketball. After high school, he went on to study Resource Conservation at Eastern Oregon University, Linn-Benton Community College, Oregon State University, Colorado State University, and the University of Montana.

He was an avid outdoorsman from a young age, learning to hunt and fish with his dad. As an adult, Steve became passionate about many outdoor activities including rock and ice climbing, snow boarding, skiing, bow hunting, river rafting, golf, and any other activity that took him into nature. He was a huge sports fan with a particular love of college football and his father’s alma mater, Texas A&M.

Steve had a 30-year career as a wildland firefighter with the Bureau of Land Management as a Hotshot Crew Member, Helitack Crew Member, Helitack Crew Leader, Helitack Assistant Foreman, and Fire Management Specialist. In 2024, he joined the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation as an Aviation Specialist. 

He had a passion for the science of wildland fires, designing and directing prescribed burns, and the role of helicopter aviation in the management of wildfires. Steve was inspired to pursue this career by the South Canyon Fire that killed 14 wildland firefighters on Storm King Mountain, near Glenwood Springs, Colorado, on July 6, 1994. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge with colleagues, new-comers to the field, and school groups. 

Steve was known as a loyal friend of high integrity who would do anything for anyone. His niece and nephew called him “Uncle Steve” and always looked forward to seeing him despite living on opposite sides of the country. 

Steve is survived by his mother, Colleen Hancock of Prineville, Oregon; his sister, Rebecca (Becky), and brother-in-law, Ron Ray of Aldie, Virginia; his nephew, TJ; his niece, Kayleigh; and his constant companion, a husky named Zoey. He was preceded in death by his father, James Leonard Hancock, who died in 2016.

A future service in Missoula, Montana will be announced at a later date. 

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