James R. Hancock

James R. Hancock, 90, of Connersville, died Tuesday morning, April 22, 2014, at his residence. Jim was born in Cedar Hill, Tennessee to Christopher C. and Maude Belle Coleman Hancock and graduated from high school there in 1942. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a navigator from 1943 to 1947. Jim attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee on a football scholarship where Bear Bryant was a part of the coaching staff. In 1950, he graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering. Jim was employed at Ford Electronics and its predecessors from 1950 until 1984, beginning at Avco in Nashville, Tennessee. He was a former member of the Kiwanis and was a member of the First United Methodist Church since 1964 where he had been a trustee. Jim was married to the former Margaret A. “Peg” Scott in Austin, Minnesota on March 19, 1949 and they had enjoyed traveling to all of the fifty states. Jim is survived by his wife of 65 years; two children and their spouses: Julie Karian and Jack of Connersville, James Scott Hancock and Cyndy of Austin, Texas; his sister: Donna Garnett and her husband, Walter of Corpus Christi, Texas; three grandchildren: Terra Dunn Salemen of Round Rock, Texas; Robin Broughton and her husband, Jason of Corpus Christi, Texas; Michael Hancock of Dallas, Texas; his great-grandchildren: Mason and Sam Saleman, Karidee and Kelby Broughton, Allee Jackson, Brian Sutton; several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by two brothers: Charles and John Hancock. A Celebration of Life service will be conducted at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 729 Central Avenue, Connersville, Indiana 47331. Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Myers Chapel, Connersville, is in charge of the arrangements.