Thomas L. Hancock

Thomas L. Hancock, 74, passed away peacefully on February 27, 2015, at his home in Pasadena, Texas, after a brave year-long battle with cancer. He was born on June 6, 1940, in Houston to Selma and Maurine Hancock.

Tom grew up in Pasadena having moved there with his parents at the age of eight. In 1958, he graduated from Pasadena High School and then went on to earn his B.A. in History from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, in May of 1962. Later that year, Tom began his distinguished thirty-nine year career in the Pasadena Independent School District at South Houston High School teaching Latin. Two years later, Tom became a member of the inaugural faculty of Sam Rayburn High school; first as a Latin teacher, and then as a counselor. In 1966, Tom received his Masters of Education from the University of Houston. From 1969 – 1972, Tom worked as lead counselor at his alma mater, Pasadena High School. In the fall of 1972, he became the first Assistant Principal at a new school: Thompson Intermediate. In 1977, he was named the Principal of Jackson Intermediate. Then in 1982, he became Principal of Pasadena High School. It was there that Tom strengthened his growing reputation as a firm, yet conscientious and fair administrator who consistently viewed his position as not only the campus leader, but as an ambassador of the surrounding community.

During his time at PHS, Tom was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Pasadena Rotary Club. After thirteen years of dedicated service to the high school, Tom moved on to spend his last six years in the district as Deputy Superintendent of Campus Development and Planning under Dr. Rick Schneider, thus retiring from PISD in 2001. That same year, the library at Pasadena High School was re-dedicated as the Thomas L. Hancock Library. Pasadena I.S. D. will open a new elementary school in August of 2016. The school will be named Thomas Hancock Elementary.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents Selma and Maurine. He leaves behind to cherish his memory: his wife of twenty-two years, Charlsie Hancock; his sons Kevin Hancock and wife Gaylynn, Larry Urquhart and wife Debbie, Mitchell Urquhart and wife Lee Ann; his grandchildren Kevin Hancock II, Nathan Urquhart, Thad Urquhart and wife Lauri, Haley Urquhart, and Charles Urquhart; and great-grandchildren Ryan Hancock and Jolie Urquhart.

Visitation will be held from 2-3 p.m., on Monday March 2, 2015 at South Main Baptist Church

4300 Sam Houston Parkway Pasadena, Texas 77508 Memorial Service to follow promptly at 3 p.m.,

with Dr. Ron Lyles officiating.