Brian Joseph Hanify

Obituary
Brian Hanify
January 19, 1973- January 8, 2026
Brian Hanify, 52, passed away on January 8, 2026, succumbing to injuries sustained in a house fire.
Born on January 19, 1973, to Eugene (Mike) and Mary Lou Hanify, Brian grew up in Worland, initially living in town, then moving to the house he helped build on Sesame Street. His formative years and core values were strongly influenced by his parents' work ethic, rural life, a bevy of loyal friends, and Catholic discipline. As a student, he was a quick study, with an ear for music and a love of public speaking. Brian adored arguing, and whether he was right or wrong (often wrong), he loved it. Excelling in speech and debate at Worland High School, he and his senior year debate partner (also named Brian) competed at the National Speech & Debate Tournament in Chicago. Graduating high school in 1991, Brian then attended the University of Wyoming, where he received a bachelor's in biology, with an emphasis in environmental issues, in 1996. He then entered law school, graduating in 1999, thereby ending a long streak of consecutive years with at least one Hanify enrolled at the university. Brian spent several years in the legal field. As a lawyer, he was quick to understand the core issue at hand, always able to get to the point quickly. And win or lose, he maintained his composure and brought a sense of levity.
One of his great passions was baseball. He coached and umpired little league games. He was an avid collector of baseball cards. He attended professional games as often as he could. As a Nolan Ryan fan, in his youth he adopted the Texas Rangers as his team. And in 2011, when his beloved Rangers made their first World Series, he made his way to St. Louis for game 2, a 2-1 Rangers win. Brian was a skilled wiffleball player, with pitching skills that defied logic. Keen to share his Hanifacts (bits of knowledge or wisdom gleaned from who knows where), one of his favorite phrases was "I remember this one time..." He also loved, in no particular order, his family, his friends, chili, movies, salsa, "Cheers," animals, anything Wyoming, "The Simpsons," camping, learning new cuisines, South Dakota, Calvin & Hobbes, hot dogs with mashed potatoes and cheese, travel, and more baseball. Compassionate and kind, loving and giving, he will be missed.
Brian was preceded in death by his parents, Mike and Mary Lou. He is survived by his brothers, Doug, Chris (Sandra), and Matt; numerous nephews; one niece; and a continually expanding assemblage of grandnieces and grandnephews.
Funeral and burial arrangements are pending. Online condolences may be made at www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.