Walter Joe Hancock

Democrat-Chief Publisher Walter Joe Hancock, 85, died December 3, 2014, at Elkview General Hospital in Hobart after a lengthy battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Joe was born on April 10, 1929, to William Ransom and Annie B. (Gardner) Hancock at old Hobart Hospital. He graduated from Hobart High School in 1947, and, except for his college years at the University of Oklahoma and two years of active duty in the U.S. Army, he lived his entire life in Hobart and loved every minute of it. Joe attended the University of Oklahoma and graduated in 1951, with a degree in Journalism. During his college years, Joe worked to make ends meet at the OU Daily newspaper and many area newspapers as a linotype operator. While in college, he was a member of ROTC and upon graduation, he had attained the rank of Second Lieutenant and joined the U.S. Army on active duty. On Sept. 1, 1950, he married Neville Lavon Reeder and they were married for 64 wonderful years until the time of his death. They raised three children, daughter Mollie Anne Nagel and sons Walter Joe Hancock, Jr. and Todd Ransom Hancock. Joe and Neville lived in Mannheim, Germany for two years while he was on active duty in the Army. They took advantage of the opportunity and toured all over western Europe. While stationed in Germany, his most significant duty assignment was as Battery Executive Officer. After two years of active duty, Joe and Neville returned home where he began to work with his father at the newspaper, which has been owned by the family since 1944. During his many years working at the Democrat-Chief, he served as sports editor, advertising manager, editor and, since 1974, as publisher. Joe served on the board of directors of the Oklahoma Press Association and was the president in 1991-92. He received the highest honor given by the Oklahoma Press Association in 2007, when he won the H. Milt Phillips Award. In 2013, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame for his many years of dedicated service to the journalism industry in Oklahoma. He joined the U.S. Army Reserves after release from active duty and had a long and distinguished career, retiring in 1978, with the rank of Colonel. While in the Reserves, he was a member of the 95th Division and at the time of his retirement, was Commander of Reserve units (from 1975-78) in Clinton 2D BN (Battalion) 378th, Chickasha 1ST BN (Battalion) 378th, Woodward (1ST BN (Battalion) 379th Company B and C, Guymon 1ST BN (Battalion) 379th Headquarters, Company A, D and E and Lawton Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment 2D Brigade, Brigade Combat Team and 3D Battalion 378th. Joe was involved in many activities in Hobart. He was a strong believer in affordable public housing and was on the board of directors of the Hobart Housing Authority when it was formed in 1965. He became president of that board in 1972, a position he held until his retirement in recent weeks. Joe was a longtime member of the Hobart Kiwanis Club. He was a lifetime faithful member of the First United Methodist Church and served on its board of directors for many years. For many years, Joe was a member of the Board of Education Hobart Public Schools for 10 years, was on the board of directors of Easter Seals and an advisory board to the athletic department at the University of Oklahoma. He was a faithful fan of the Hobart Bearcats and Oklahoma Sooners. His incredible streak of attending consecutive OU home football games ended this season when he could no longer attend games. He hadn't missed an OU home game since the 1956 season. Joe is survived by his wife Neville of the home; brother Bill Hancock and wife Nicki, Prairie Village, Kansas; daughter Mollie Nagel and husband Britt; two sons, Walter Joe Hancock, Jr. and Todd Ransom Hancock, all of Hobart; four grandchildren, Brittany Elizabeth Nagel, Lawton, Jemi Nicole Hancock and boyfriend Brett Barnett, Hobart; Emma Knight Hancock and Christian Josiah Hancock, Moscow, Idaho; great-granddaughter Harper Jo Barnett, Hobart; niece Anne McCloskey and husband Norb; nephew John Nathan Hancock and wife Kristin and their children William and Jack; great nephew Jay and Fanar Ulshafer, and their children Wyatt and Jonas; great niece Sara and Jay Andress and their children Logan and Riley; Karen Hancock and Andie B. Hancock, and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Anne Ransom Hancock and Jennie Bailey "Bezer" Carpenter and nephew William Ransom Hancock.



Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m., December 5, 2014, at First United Methodist Church in Hobart, led by Pastor Brandon Dollarhite. Burial followed at Hobart Rose Cemetery, under the direction of Ray & Martha's Funeral Home, Hobart.