Extracted from The Times Record News (Wichita Falls, TX)
Tommy Louis Hancock
Tommy Louis Hancock, 81, passed away on Wednesday, February 23, 2011, in Nocona, Texas.
His funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 26, 2011 at the Prairie Valley ISD Basketball Gymnasium 12920 FM 103 North of Nocona, Texas. Tommy will be wearing his spurs and would be happy to hear the jingle of rowels, so wear yours if you want.
Burial will follow at the Nocona Cemetery in Nocona, Texas.
Memorial Fellowship for Tommy's family and friends will be held at Scott-Morris Funeral Home in Nocona on Friday, February 25, 2011 from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Scott-Morris Funeral Home of Nocona, Texas.
Memorials may be made to the Tommy Hancock Scholarship Fund at Prairie Valley ISD, 12920 FM 103 Nocona, Texas 76255 or an organization of your choice.
Tommy Louis Hancock was born January 2, 1930 to Joe David and Cora Keck Hancock at the old home place on the Red River, near Nocona, Texas. Also home to the foundation Quarter Horse sire Joe Hancock P-455.
A stout little cotton headed boy, he was always into something. Tommy's mother, Mammie, always said that if you cracked his head open, all that would fall out would be basketballs and horses. He had a way with both, and never tired of either. Tommy Louis attended school at Prairie Valley and graduated High School in 1948. He attended Tyler Jr. College.
Tommy Louis Hancock, horseman, Little All-American point guard, husband, father, dear brother, granddad, was a Montague county treasure. He will be missed by many; his family members and friends celebrate his kind heart, his adventurous life, and his easy-going nature.
All who've met Tommy know that he was a keeper of the stories. Tommy knew before most of us that stories need to be kept, need to be shared again and again (and again!). He's passed that job on to us now, and there are a few that we'll have be extra careful to keep. The story of Tommy Louis is one of them.
A legendary athlete, Tommy had a closet full of medals and awards, starting with the MVP honor of the 1948 Texas High School Coach's Association All-Star Basketball game. He was a two-time All State Basketball player.
He went on to become a Little All-American at Tyler Junior College, turning down offers from bigger schools to stay close to home. In 1951, he led his team to a national championship.
Later, he joined the Air Force where he also played ball and eventually won an Air Force Decathlon. It's told that Tommy beat All-American sprinters while wearing his trademark jeans and cowboy boots. He was only beaten once, edged out by an Olympic silver medalist. Tommy didn't let sports take him too far from the Red River for too long.
He always had horses and family in his blood, so he stayed close to home. When seen in his home town of Nocona, he was always tossing a lasso, sharing a story, and followed closely by his faithful companion, Wolf.
He met Rita Irene McMackin, a Kilgore Rangerette and married her in 1956, she preceded him in death on November 16, 2002.
Tommy is survived by two sons: Joe Tom Hancock and wife Valerie of Nocona, Billie Jack Hancock and wife Samantha of Hoyt, Kansas. Five grandchildren: Kelli Ford, Tom Colton Hancock, Tommy Louis Hancock II, Alexis Alexandria Hancock, Zackery Colton Hancock. He also leaves his baby sister Sue Hancock Brown of Whitesboro, Texas and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, Joe and Cora; brothers Billie Joe and Jack, and sisters, Lois Hancock Howard and Kate Hancock Keck.
Friday, February 25, 2011