Douglas "Doug" Maurice Hancock

Doug was born April 18, 1954 in Newport News, Virginia to Junior Maurice Hancock and Eunice Cole Hancock. At the age of 5, the family moved back to their hometown in Seagrove, NC where they built a home on the family farm. It was on the farm that Doug first discovered his love of animals, especially dogs, but also rabbits, chicks, and anything else he could talk his parents into keeping.

At the age of 11, Doug became a big brother and protector to this sister, Kecia. Even with the age difference, Doug spent a lot of time playing with Kecia & included her in activities with his older friends. Doug had several motorcycles in his late teens and early twenties and Kecia enjoyed riding with him whenever their parents allowed. The one thing the little sister could not touch was his beloved drum set in his bedroom. The drums could be heard throughout the entire house and a favorite memory is Doug playing the drums and singing "I See the Bad Moon Rising".

Doug graduated from NC State University in 1976 with a degree in Recreation and Park Administration. His time at NC State was highlighted by the men’s basketball team winning their first NCAA Championship in 1974 and the family enjoyed visiting Doug in Raleigh to watch all-stars like David Thompson, Monte Towe, and Tommy Burleson on the court.

Following college, Doug became a park ranger for the City of Raleigh and worked in public service for 5 years. After working a couple other jobs, Doug decided he wanted to be his own boss and started his first of many business ventures. Doug loved the freedom of being self-employed and like his Dad, he was never afraid of hard work or being hands on and fixing things himself. Over time, Doug invested in and built up a rental property business including all aspect of identifying, rehabbing, marketing, and selling properties. “Mr Doug” as he was known by his renters has been running his real estate business for over 25 years.

In the late 90’s, Doug reconnected with an old flame, Jackie Twisdale, and they have been life partners since that day. Doug soon became a loving member of the Twisdale family. Doug and Jackie shared a love for the outdoors, rehabbing properties, and spending time together at their homes in Southport and now Hampstead. “Puggy” as he was affectionately called by Kecia & Jackie, became the name of Doug’s boat at the coast. Doug, Jackie, and the dogs could often be found puttering down the ICW enjoying some tunes and just sharing life together on the water.

Doug was known for his love of life, music, animals, family and creating things with his hands. Doug was quick to laugh, liked to play the air guitar, and always enjoyed a good joke. With no children of his own, Doug had many four-legged kids who were great companions for him throughout his life. Although Doug left us way too soon, he lived a full life and always knew he was dearly loved by his family and friends.

Preceded in death by his parents, Doug is survived by his sister, Kecia Hancock Serwin (Steve) of Cary, his aunts Opal Ingram (Bob) and Jean Redding both of Salisbury, his niece Hannah Serwin of Cary, his step-mother Ann Hancock of Pleasant Garden, numerous cousins from the Cole and Hancock families, his life partner, Jackie Twisdale (Raleigh), and the extended Twisdale family in Franklin, Virginia.

A visitation will be held Friday, March 14, 2025 from 12:30-1:00pm at Apex Funeral Home, 550 W Williams St, Apex, NC 27502, followed by a Celebration of Life at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please send any remembrances of Doug to one of his named charities: Guiding Eyes for the Blind, American Cancer Society, Alzheimer’s Association.

https://www.guidingeyes.org/ways-to-give/

https://donate.cancer.org/?campaign=honormemorialmedia&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaignid=21603275924&utm_adgroupid=169792393161&utm_keyword=american%20cancer%20society&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2ur-rMnwiwMV0WNHAR10Dy6WEAAYASABEgK4IvD_BwE

https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=51079&51079.donation=form1&mfc_pref=T&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_campaign=giving_google_SL&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrKT3xsnwiwMV_2VHAR3R_haMEAAYASABEgIURfD_BwE

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