Rex Earl Hancock

Rex Earl Hancock, of Pomona, Kansas, peacefully passed away in his home on June 18, 2025, and was 84 years of age. Rex was born in Iola, Kansas on August 13, 1940.  His parents were Edgar Earl Hancock and Opal Marie (Hill) Hancock. Rex went to Ottawa High School up and until his junior year, where he then completed his GED through the United States Navy so that he could enlist in October of 1957. Rex served in the United States Navy on the USS Rupertus, USS Frank Knox, USS Stoddard, USS Alamo, and USS Catamount.  Rex served throughout the entirety of  the Vietnam War (in and out of theater), and also served as a drill instructor at the Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Illinois. This dedication to duty spanned a total of 21 years of service up until his retirement in 1978, as well as a following 10 years in the fleet-reserve.  Rex achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer (E-7) and was trained as a Machinist’s Mate.  This skill set allowed him to obtain employment with Dresser-Rand (later becoming Ingersoll-Rand) as a Field Service Supervisor where he serviced steam turbine engines throughout the entire world to provide electricity to large cities and Gulf of America oil platforms. Rex enjoyed deep sea fishing, freshwater fishing, and giving his grandkids rides on his lawn mower.  He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Rex was married previously and from that union there were four children. Rex married Joann Kay (Hess) Hancock on December 8, 1979 by a Catholic Bishop in San Diego, California, and then had a church wedding on December 23, 1979 at the Cherry Street Wesleyan Church in Ottawa, Kansas. From this union, Joann's three children were adopted by Rex.

Rex is survived by his wife, Joann Kay Hancock, of 45 1/2 years (until forever);  his sister Sharon Lee Firestone and her husband, Gerald (Punk), of Harrisonville, Missouri, his brother Albert Hancock and his wife, Judy, of Ottawa, his brother Dennis Hancock of Freeport, Florida; his seven children - Rex Jr., Randy, Chloe Ann, Thomas, Eileen (Mark), Carrie, and Jamey (Amelia); his brother-in-law Eric Hess and sister-in-law Christine (Hess) Baum; many grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. Throughout the many years of marriage to Joann, Rex and she opened the doors to their hearts and home to family and friends, either temporarily or long-term. Rex's generosity and willingness to take care of others during their time of need will never be forgotten.

Rex was preceded in death by his mother and father, his sister-in-law Cheryl Hancock, his two brother-in-laws Chuck and Billy Hess, his nephew Brad Bedlington, and his great-grandson Abel Carter.

Private family graveside funeral services will be 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, KS.  Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warriors and sent c/o Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 14, Ottawa, KS 66067. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com.

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