Joe Tom Hancock was born in Orange, Texas on October 12, 1946, to John Kenneth Hancock and Lila Huckaby Hancock. Joe lived his younger years in Orange, Texas but fondly remembered spending summers in Fairfield, Texas with his “Big Daddy,” W. F. Huckaby as well as cousins Frank Parker and Lila Withrow.
From 1967 to 1970, Joe served in the US Navy as a Medical Corpsman in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged with medals and honors, including a Purple Heart.
Joe’s pioneer great grandparents, J.F. and Elizabeth Huckaby, came to Fairfield in 1848, by covered wagon. When Joe married April Cunningham in 1971, they too settled in Fairfield where they raised their family. Joe lived there until his death on January 21, 2024.
Joe worked his way up at Big Brown Power Plant, starting with Brown & Root as a welder’s helper “for a few weeks” and ending as superintendent of plant management with Fluor Daniel. Along the way he had several different jobs including Safety Man and Office Manager.
His family was Joe’s priority, so whatever his kids were involved in, you could count on him to be there too, from coaching baseball to leading a Boy Scout troop.
He was active in the affairs of his community by serving on the Fairfield City Council. He was also instrumental in forming the first ambulance service and later served on the board of Fairfield EMS.
Joe’s biggest personal hobbies were hunting and target shooting. He was a member of Freestone County Game Management Association and the Centex Oilmans Association. He and April loved to travel and their favorite place to be was on the beach in Mexico with April (over 45 trips!) or any family member that could join them.
In 2021, Joe and April celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary of 50 years.
Joe, the most loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend is survived by his wife, April; children Robin, Kendall, Holly and Michael; and 13 grandchildren.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Zemba Children’s Foundation, an organization founded by Joe’s daughter, Robin, that supports families in need in Uganda, East Africa. https://app.clovergive.com/app/giving/clodo-zemba
A memorial service will be held 2:00 pm Friday, February 2, 2024, at Calvary Baptist Church. Visitation with the family will follow the service.
An online guest book is available at www.griffin-roughton.com
Arrangements By Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home, Fairfield
