"font-family:">James Richard Hancock, 78, a native of Rienzi, Miss. and a longtime resident of Spanish Fort, passed away Friday, Dec. 23, 2011.
"font-family:">He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joanne Sims Hancock; daughter, Cynthia Young (Jim); son, Thomas Hancock (Rebecca); granddaughter, Stephanie Prescott (Andrew); and step-grandson, Eddie Nash (Heather).
"font-family:">Jim proudly served in the U.S. Army as a guided missile instructor at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas during the Korean War.
"font-family:">He received a B.S. degree in business administration from the University of North Alabama.
"font-family:">Jim was named UNA Alumnus of the year in 1980. He held graduate certificates from the American Institute of Banking as well.
"3">His banking career began in 1960 at First National Bank of Mobile before joining First National Bank of Fairhope in 1971. He was an officer of the bank, serving in Fairhope and the Spanish Fort branch (now Compass Bank).
"color: black">
"font-family:">As a member of the Spanish Fort Civitan Club in the ‘70s and ‘80s, Jim helped raise funds to build Spanish Fort Civitan Ball Park. He was trustee for Spanish Fort and Daphne Middle schools for many years.
"font-family:">As a member of the Mobile Jaycees, he served on various committees, including the National Junior Achievement Program.
"font-family:">Jim was a volunteer instructor with the Mobile Literacy program for a time, and was a volunteer fireman for the Spanish Fort Fire Department in the ‘60s.
"font-family:">Jim served as deacon, clerk, treasurer, and on various committees within Baptist churches during his lifetime.
"font-family:">The family is deeply appreciative of the care he received from the doctors and staff at the Fairhope Dialysis Center and his family doctor of many years, Dr. Henry Davis.
"font-family:">A memorial service will be held at East Pointe Baptist Church Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, at 2 p.m. The family will receive guests following the service in the fellowship hall.
"font-family:">In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to a church or charity of choice.
"font-family:">Arrangements by Hughes Funeral Home, Daphne.
