Gene Edward Hancock

Gene was born on August 26, 1920 in New Boston, Iowa to Bryan and Hazel Vermazen Hancock, the second of their eight children. Gene graduated from high school in Donellson, Iowa, in 1937. Following his graduation, Gene went to work for Santa Fe Railroad, until 1939 when he moved to Longview, Texas. During this time, Gene lived with his aunt and uncle Lee and Nova Hancock and attended Kilgore Jr. College for one year. On May 1, 1940, Gene became employed by the Magnolia Pipe Line Company and it was during this time as a Magnolia employee that he traveled to Electra, Texas, where he met his future wife, Letha Marine Ward. Gene and Letha were married in Electra, Texas on November 26, 1940.

On March 4, 1941 Gene left his job at Magnolia and enlisted in the U.S. Army. Gene completed his basic training at Camp Bowie near Brownwood, Texas, and in 1942 he went to Ft. Belvoir, Virginia to complete officer’s candidate school. Upon the completion of his officer’s training, Second Lieutenant Hancock and his wife, Letha, moved to Ft. Smith, Arkansas, as Gene was stationed at Camp Chaffee with the 125th Armored Engineer Battalion of the 14th Armored Division. It was during this time that Gene and Letha’s daughter, Barbara, was born.

In 1943, Gene was promoted to Captain of the 998 Treadaway Bridge Company, which was now a separate company from the 125th Armored Engineer Battalion. By January of1944, Captain Hancock and his company were transferred to England in preparation for the allied invasion of France. On D-Day, the 998 Treadaway Bridge Company landed in Normandy, France, and was then attached to the 3rd Army with the task of building any necessary bridges for the combat troops to use in their assault against enemy forces. At one time during World War II, the 998 was attached to the United States 1st, 3rd, and 9th Armies as well as the 1st French Army for bridging operations in their sectors. In the European Campaign, he was awarded four Bronze stars and five Bronze stars on EAME Campaign. On December 6, 1945, Captain Hancock was released from active duty in the army and he rejoined his family in Electra, Texas and went back to work for the Magnolia Pipe Line Company, which later became Mobil Pipeline Company. During his 43 years of employment with Mobil, Gene and Letha lived all around Texas including: Midland, Longview, Dallas, Beaumont, Houston, Premont, Edna, and Corsicana. In 1965, they moved to Tripoli, Libya where they lived for five years. During this time, Gene served as the pipeline and terminal superintendent at the Ras Lanuf Export Terminal. They returned to the United States in 1969 and lived in Piscataway, New Jersey for 1 year before moving to Lagos, Nigeria for two years. When the Hancock’s again returned to the U.S., they set up residence in Bellevue, Washington. After living in Washington for two years, Gene and Letha returned to Texas, and, following Gene’s retirement in 1983, moved in order to be close to their daughter, Barbara Adams, and grandchildren, Kristie and Dea.

In his retirement, Gene remained active in the community. Gene was a Mason, a member of the Scottish Rite, and a Shriner. For several years, Gene served on the board of Midland Association of Retarded Citizens, and he maintained his membership in the Mobil Retirees Club. Beginning in 1989, Gene reunited with his 998 Treadaway Bridge Company peers and the group began having annual reunions in which they would reminisce about their army days.

Gene is preceded in death by his wife, Letha Marine Ward Hancock, an infant son, Gene E. Hancock, Jr., his sister Ruth Luebbers of Farmington, Iowa, and his parents, Bryan and Hazel Vermazen Hancock. Also preceding him in death were, his brother, Gilbert, and his sister Vava Clark.

Gene is survived by his daughter and favorite son-in-law, Barbara and David Adams, and his grandson, David E. “Dea” Adams, all of Midland. Gene is also survived by his granddaughter, Kristie Adams Wade, her husband Randy Wade, and by his two great granddaughters, Reilly and Lily Wade, all of Bellaire, Texas. Gene is also survived by his brothers, Ralph Hancock of Fredericktown, MO, Jim Hancock of Clarimore, OK, and Howard Hancock of Argyle, Iowa, and his sister Mariam Madrid of Arlington, Texas, his special friend Betty Bertko, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A visitation is scheduled for Friday, July 10 2015 at Ellis Funeral Home from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Gene’s life will be remembered at a memorial service at Ellis Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, July 11, 2015 at 3:00 pm, with the service to be conducted by Pastor David Johnson of First Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Don Simpson, Leon Thompson, Don Craig, Charlie Goss, Rudy Parkison, Jack Burkett.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to M.A.R.C., 2701 North A Street, 79705, or to the charity of your choice.

Condolences may be offered at www.ellisfunerals.com