Steve E. Hanks, 66, of Statesville, N.C. passed away on December 3, 2018, at his residence.

Born on July 24, 1952, in Statesville, N.C., he was the son of Harold Hanks and the late Frances Foster Hanks. Steve's love and passion was for horses, especially road horses. He loved to travel to horse shows and train horses, and was well known and sought after in the horse world. Over the years he won many awards and was proudest of three awards in particular, which were ARHPA Hall of Fame, UPHA Herman Miles Horse Show Manger of the Year and ASAC Trainer of the Year. Steve also really enjoyed his trips with Kathy Carpenter to Beaufort, sitting on the deck watching the wild horses.

Left to cherish his memory is his father, Harold Hanks; daughter and son-in-law, Sara and Greg Waugh; grandchildren, Kate and Luke Waugh; girlfriend, Kathy Carpenter; favorite cousin, Kathryn Gantt and husband Shannon; aunts, Margaret Wilson and Betty Foster; cousin, Leslie Davison and husband Doug; extended family, Luis Angel, Olivia Angel, Augstin Angel, Yahir and Gude and his loyal customers, along with other loving family members and the Horse World Family. A celebration of Steve's life will be held on Wednesday, December 5, 2018, at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home 705 Davie Ave, Statesville, NC 28677. The family will gather and receive friends after the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Steve's honor to the UPHA Dewey Henderson Benevolent Fund Trust and mailed to the following address: UPHA Dewey Henderson Benevolent Fund Attn: Nancy Becker 4059 Iron Works Pkwy Suite 2 Lexington, KY 40511.