James Richard Hancock, 85, of Lincoln passed away March 14 2017. Born January 26, 1932 in Wahoo, Nebraska to Glen F. and Esther M. (Fleeker) Hancock. U. S. Army veteran. Attorney. Member of Westminster Presbyterian Church.
“Jimmy” grew up in Wahoo Nebraska and graduated from Wahoo High School in 1950. He was the fifth of six in the family and known by his brothers and sisters as “Smiley.” After graduation, James attended Hastings College in pre-law studies. His reputation as a friendly, happy guy followed him throughout high school and college even into the Hasting’s College Bronco annual.
James (Jim) interrupted his college career to enter the army and served in Germany from 1952-1954 in the Counter-intelligence corps in Heidelberg. In that role, he obtained and processed sensitive documents for the security of the United States in Post-War Europe.
After his army career, Jim returned to his schooling and re-entered law school at the University of Nebraska while earning his undergraduate degree from Hastings. While at the University, he joined Sigma Chi fraternity and reminisced about serenading the sororities.
While in law school, Jim met the love of his life, Marlene who worked at the University of Nebraska. They married in Holbrook in 1957 and moved to Lincoln while Jim finished Law School. In Lincoln, they welcomed their son, David. They welcomed son Robert and daughter Christine after their move to Scottsbluff.
The couple moved to Scottsbluff after Jim accepted a position with Wright, Simmons and Harris law firm. He worked at the firm until 1971 and then went into practice on his own. In 2009, the Nebraska State Bar Association rewarded James with the Fifty-year Member Award for his dedicated practice of law in the state of Nebraska. Jim was also a member of the Nebraska State Bar Association, the U.S. Supreme Court Bar, and served as President of the Scottsbluff County Bar association.
Jim was always the biggest fan of his children’s myriad of activities, but also believed in serving the community. He served as an Elder and a Deacon in the First Presbyterian Church in Scottsbluff and later joined Westminster Presbyterian in Lincoln. He served as President of the Cosmopolitan Club, was a board member of Panhandle Mental Health, the board of Northfield Villa and was a member of the Elks club. He was also involved with Hastings College Alumni activities.
Jim’s life was enriched with music and athleticism. Rarely a day passed without selections from his vast collection being played in the house. He was also a talented harmonicist who loved to perform German folk songs for family and friends. Jim exceled in athletics: he was a natural. Strength, speed, dexterity, work ethic and competitive drive led him to great success in football, basketball and track & field in Wahoo. He then went on to be a featured running back for the Hastings College Broncos. Perhaps more impressively, Jim taught himself to swim, dive and figure Skate. As a kid, he routinely walked with trunks and towel under arm from the family house in Wahoo to the impressive pool at Wanahoo Park just outside of town. Clearly, both music and athletics were true life-long passions: he played a short song on his Honer harmonica last Christmas and, for a nervous audience when he was 80 years old, he performed a front dive pike with a half twist at the Wahoo Aquatic Center.
Family members include his wife, Marlene; daughter, Christine Anne (Mike) Dempsey; sons, Robert Glen (Diane Jobe) Hancock and David Paul (Teri) Hancock; grandchildren, William Christian Dempsey and Michael Patrick Dempsey; sisters, Ruth Wells, Jean Proud and Loy Ann (David) Cook; brother, Robert (Mary) Hancock; Sister-in-Law Mary Ann Hancock; many nieces and nephews. Proceeded in death by parents, brother William and infant brother John. The family wishes to thank the loving, caring staff members at Tabitha Day Service, Guardian Angels, and the Independence House who became Jim’s second family in his last years.
Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. Monday (3-20-17) Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2110 Sheridan Blvd. with Rev. Dr. Andrew McDonald officiating. 2:00 p.m. interment in Sunrise Cemetery, Wahoo, NE.
Memorials to Hastings College Foundation, P. O. Box 269, Hastings, NE 68902-0269.
Visitation with family present from 4-6 p.m. Sunday at Roper and Sons, 4300 ‘O’ Street.