Thann Myron Hanchett

Thann Hanchett
Annabella, Utah

Thann Myron Hanchett passed away peacefully with his wife, best friend and eternal companion, Stephanie holding his hand on Thursday morning June 17, 2021 from the effects of Parkinson's Disease. Thann was born in Annabella on October 26,1935, the son of Myron Nathaniel Hanchett and Marva Christensen Hanchett.

Thann attended the old grade school in Annabella, then to 7th grade in Monroe. He graduated from South Sevier High School in 1953.  He went on to graduate from Snow College and Brigham Young University where he was on the BYU Rodeo Team. He later received a Master of Science Degree from Nova University, Florida and a Masters in Curriculum Development from Lesley College, MA.

Thann served an LDS mission to the Eastern States serving mostly in Springfield, Illinois. This experience instilled in him a love of missionary work he enjoyed his entire life.  Thann was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many callings, his favorite being Gospel Doctrine teacher which he taught for many years in Las Vegas and Annabella . He was a scriptorian with a thirst for  knowledge and firm testimony of the Church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thann started riding horses at a very early age and worked herding cattle on and off the Utah mountains with his father. He loved rodeo and riding bulls and bareback horses but then specialized in riding bareback horses.

Thann’s first teaching job was in Vernal, Utah.  In Vernal he was also breaking mustangs for a sale yards and  rodeoing and winning in Utah and Idaho. He was a talented horseman and rider with a special gift for colt starting and training two and three year olds. In rodeoing he  quickly became eligible to ride as a Professional Rodeo Cowboy  (PRC). and achieved 20th position in the world bareback rider. He moved to teach school in Las Vegas so that he could rodeo in California, Arizona and Nevada.

Starting and training horses for racing, jumping and all disciplines he became interested in Dressage Training. He traveled to Austria to train and ride the Lippizzaner horses coming from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. Still rodeoing and training all facets of the equestrian disciplines, also teaching classes at BYU and Community College in Las Vegas, he was instrumental in establishing and introducing Dressage Training Associations and clinics in Utah and Nevada. Thann was also a rider in the Lippizzaner Stallions show at The Excalibur Hotel in Las Vegas. In 2002 Thann and his 3rd year old Warmblood Titan’s Legacy (shown in picture) won a Utah Dressage Championship.  In 2015 in Las Vegas in a great celebration attended by many of Thann's original riding students and clients Thann and his mount Magellan were inducted into The Dressage Foundation Century Club.

In 1981 he met and married Stephanie Denbigh, the "helpmate" his patriarchal blessing had promised him. They were sealed in the Saint George Temple for Time and all Eternity December 11th 1982. Thann and Stephanie raised and trained horses in  Las Vegas until Thann retired after 30 years teaching school in Clark County, Nevada. In 1995 they built a home and facility and moved with their horse operation back to Annabella, where Thann's heart had always been.

Thann is survived by Stephanie his wife of 40 years; his children: Terri (Dan) DeFalco, St. George; Shelli (Joe) Levine, St George; sisters: Patricia Sorenson, Annabella; Trudy (Jay) Harris, Idaho Falls, ID; brother- in-law, Russell (Liz) Denbigh, UK; grandchildren: Kylee Jo, Landon, Dyson, Dalyn; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Robert Sorenson; in-laws: Allen and Margaret Denbigh.

Stephanie wishes to thank Blake, Doreen, Charlie, Kris and all those at IHC Hospice for their love and support in the care of her beloved Thann and herself.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in the Annabella Cemetery, below Cove Mountain—the mountain that Thann loved.. Friends may call Friday evening at the Magleby Mortuary from 6-7 p.m. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com