He is survived by his wife, Bobbi de Cordova-Hanks; a son, J. R. Hanks of Atlanta; a daughter, Lee Hanks of Jacksonville, two grandchildren, Cole Hanks and Anna Carr Hanks, both of Atlanta; a sister-in-law, Adrienne Kincaid, and a nephew, Richard Ullian.
A professional writer and editor for more than 60 years, Jerry was also the president and owner of the Jacksonville public relations and professional writing firm of Hanks-Livingston, Inc.
Jerry held a bachelor's degree from Lehigh University and a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University. After extensive newspaper experience in Allentown, Pennsylvania; New York City, Jacksonville, Honolulu and Miami, Jerry spent six years as a professional writer in the Apollo/Saturn V moon landing program. He also handled special news writing assignments for the U.S. government in Viet Nam and Puerto Rico.
For many years, Jerry and his wife Bobbi were frequent speakers in this country and Canada on cancer survivorship and cancer caregiving. They were the authors of "Tears of Joy" the personal story of their cancer journey together, Bobbi as a three-time survivor, and Jerry as a four-time caregiver who lost his previous wife to cancer.
A former Air Force officer, Jerry also compiled and edited "Cold War in a Cold Place," a book about the Air Force personnel who manned the distant radar outposts in Northern Japan for 15 years and helped preserve the peace in a world on the brink of disaster.
Jerry was a member and a Stephen Ministry leader at San Jose Episcopal Church in Jacksonville. He also was a past president of the Rotary Club of South Jacksonville and a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International; a member of the Society for American Baseball Research; a former member of the Jacksonville Health Facilities Authority and the .Merritt Island (Florida) Library Board of Trustees; a past president of the All Saints Episcopal Church Early Learning and Community Care Center in Jacksonville, and a former member of the board of directors of Goodwill Industries of North Florida and the advisory council for the public relations curriculum at the University of Florida.
A celebration of Jerry's life will be held on April 18, 2021 at 1pm at San Jose Episcopal Church, 7423 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville followed by a reception at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Legacy Lodge, 4801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville to which all are invited. Memorial contributions may be made to San Jose Episcopal Church.
Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel, 904-737-7171. Please sign the guestbook at www.hardagegiddensoaklawnchapel.com.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18