Mr. Richard B. Hancock, age 88 of Wilmington, NC passed away early Saturday morning, September 24, 2022 at Lower Cape Fear Life Care in Wilmington, NC following an extended illness. Mr. Hancock was born February 18 1934 to the late Hiram Hancocck and the late Cora Minchew Hancock.
The following is a tribute of personal memories written by Mary Ann Griffin for her father.
My brother and sisters and I have had a great Dad for our 60+++ years. He was always our protector, provider, teacher and our inspiration of what to be in our own life. He was raised from humble beginnings in Brantley County. He was sent to military school for most of his education. He came to Douglas, Georgia to attend Douglas High School and graduated in 1952. Daddy has always cherished his friends from school. Daddy met the love of his life while attending Douglas High School, a little cheerleader named Joanna Meeks caught his eye. They married on July 28, 1956. This past July they celebrated 66 yrs of marriage.
Never one to sit on his laurels, Daddy always had a job. He worked delivering CocaCola all thru the small towns of South Georgia. We found that he had served in the Merchant Marines. He soon joined the United States Navy. He served during the Vietnam War. He has numerous accommodations from his Navy Commanders for his eye for detail and mastering every skill level needed during the Vietnam War.. Daddy stayed with the Federal government beginning his career with the Federal Aviation Administration in 1969. The FAA sent him to numerous training programs in Oklahoma City which he completed successfully each year! He ended his career with the FAA at the age of 70.
He loved his farm, tending his pine trees, and riding the tractor. I told him one time if he ever got sick, I knew how to keep him occupied. He said how is that? I told him I would load him up and drive him to the woods so he could sit! He love watching his wild life, I think he had the turkey and deer named.
Daddy was a very generous man, giving his time to us as children. I think you could say my siblings and I were worse than sprayed roaches- 4 of us running in all directions.
He planted greens every year spring and fall for the food bank in Burgaw, NC. He donated deer meat for that same food bank. Twice a year Mom and Daddy would come to Douglas, GA for a week or two. He always brought cemetery flowers for his loved ones. He considered the Moore’s and Meeks his family. And we always made a trip to Hortense, Ga where his mother and great grandmother are buried. He never missed placing flowers on his good friend Linton Brown’s grave.
The children of Richard Hancock have inherited a lot of our traits from our parents! I can say being stubborn, being precise, OCD ish. He leaves behind his Joanna Hancock loving wife of 66 yrs plus the years of dating! 4 children Mary Ann, spouse T.C.Griffin, Ricky Hancock, Debbie, spouse David Dunbar and Cheryl Hancock and significant other Patrick Metze. He has 7 grandsons Billy, Phillip, David, spouse Robin, John, spouse Christina, Joseph, Samuel and William. 5 great grand children Mary Joanna, Annsleigh, Kaitlyn, Rylee and Lincoln. All coming from 2 amazing people from South Georgia.
The funeral service will be held Saturday, October 1, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Chapel of Ricketson Funeral Home with Rev. Donnie Kirkland officiating. The interment will follow at Douglas City Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, October 1, 2022 from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM at Chapel of Ricketson Funeral Home.
Ricketson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.