James Horace Hancock Jr.

Jim’s overriding passion was to spend time with his children and grandchildren. This brought him his greatest joy. Jim had many interests, especially playing tennis, spending time with friends at his favorite coffee shops, reading, going to movies and numerous church activities. He loved his service as a Stephen Minister, reaching out in care to men who were hurting; his years as a discussion group leader in Bible Study Fellowship; and his countless ministries over the years at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Grace Community Church and White Memorial Presbyterian.

Jim was born in Charlotte, NC and was raised in Rock Hill, SC. After setting two S.C. high school records in the high and low hurdles, he went on to contribute significantly to Presbyterian College’s track team, as state champion high hurdler one year and captain of the team his senior year. He was active in many areas of college life; was President of the Student Body and “Outstanding Grad of 1957”. As a graduate of ROTC, Jim entered the regular army in June, 1957, and served 24 years active duty, retiring in 1981 as a Full Colonel. Jim’s assignments were varied, including command of a tank battalion in Germany, Instructor of ROTC at Wake Forest University, two tours of duty in Vietnam, 4 years in the Office of the Army Chief of Staff at the Pentagon, closing out his duty as Sr. Army Advisor to the NC Adjutant General and the NC National Guard.

Among Jim’s Army decorations and achievements are: The Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Joint Services Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, N.C. Distinguished Service Medal and Parachutist Badge. After retirement from the Army, Jim worked 15 years as the Director of Administration for the Raleigh Office of Ernst & Young.

Jim was predeceased by his first wife, Pat in 1992, his parents, Horace and Daisy Hancock and brother Guy. He is survived by his wife Linda, her three children Rob, Russ and Christi Jones of Raleigh, and his five children: daughter Debbie Edwards (Shep) of Greenville, NC; son Jimmy (Beverly) of Oxford, NC.; son Craig (Emily) of Grand Rapids, MI; daughter Kimberly of Holly Springs, NC.; son Jeff (Heather) of Atlanta, GA.; and brother Bill Hancock of Pilot Mtn. NC. 18 grandchildren: Carter, Thomas and Caroline Edwards of Greenville; Maris and Jamie Hancock of Raleigh; Abby Benson of Charlotte; Andrew and Anna Hancock of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Henry, Oliver and Annie Farah of Holly Springs; Bella and Elisha Hancock of Atlanta, GA; Hadley Jones, of Raleigh; Jax and Colt Dudek of Raleigh; and Adelaide and Vian Jones of Raleigh.

Family visitation will be at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home (1701 E Millbrook Road Raleigh, NC 27609) on Thursday, September 7th from 5-7. Burial with military honors will be graveside at Raleigh Memorial Park (7501 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612) on Friday, September 8th at 1pm followed by a memorial service conducted by Jeff Hancock at Grace Raleigh Church at 3pm (7041 Old Wake Forest Rd, Unit 107, Raleigh, NC 27616). In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Dementia Alliance of NC, 9131 Anson Way, Suite 206, Raleigh, NC 27615 (www.DementiaNC.org)