James Dewey Hancock Jr.

James "Jim" Dewey Hancock Jr., age 85 of Searcy, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 9, 2017. He was born on August 19, 1931, in Abo, Missouri and was a lifelong Baptist. Jim enjoyed fishing, scuba diving, woodworking, tinkering with anything he could get his hands on, and spending time with his family and friends. He was the epitome of what a loving husband, father and grandfather should be. He was patient and supportive of everyone that knew him. He always had a smile on his face and a kind word. He always said you were only as old as you acted - and he never acted his age. He raced Sprint cars at I-30 raceway and shared his love of cars and car repair with his son, Mark and daughter, Tracy. Having three teenage daughters at the same time made him a stronger man than most. From repairing any car issues we had, to offering his shoulder when we needed him, he was the best Daddy anyone could hope for. He loved helping people and making a difference wherever he was. He had the best belly-laugh you could ever hear and seemed to laugh with every fiber of his body. He loved tipping with ‘funny money' and seeing the looks on servers' faces when they saw $2 bills for the first time. He loved life and could make us laugh even when laying on a gurney in the ER. Jim worked most recently as a Volunteer messenger at Unity Health Hospital in Searcy, where he refused to take the elevator opting to take the stairs, two at a time. Before retirement several years ago he worked for Eaton (formerly Vickers), AMF and Timex, where he cultivated many lifelong friendships. Early in his life, Jim served in both the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy. He is survived by his loving family, son, Mark Greenwood (Tamara) of Benton; daughters Shannon Rambo (Tracy) of Searcy, Tracy Hancock of Searcy, and Amanda Joyner (Bill) of Maumelle; sister-in-law, Judy Denio of Dunwoody, Georgia; and brother-in-law, Pete Gantt of Duncanville, Texas. He was an incredible Papaw and Grandpa to Daniel and David Greenwood, Tisha and Tiffany Rambo, and John, Dylan, Camryn and Carly Joyner. He was a doting great-grandfather to Jayden Greenwood and Maddi and Chase Joyner, and a loving Uncle to several nephews and nieces. He had a special bond with neighbors W.T. and Kathy Smith, and especially their granddaughter, Brooklyn. Mr. Jim loved them all dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Dewey and Pansy Iva Mae Davis Hancock; his beloved wife of 46 years, Carole; and two sisters, Claire Magar and Anne May. We would like to thank Dr. Richard Duke and Staci Clouse for their years of loving care of our Daddy and our Mother before him; the entire staff at Unity Health in Searcy and the wonderful volunteers that loved him as we do; the caring staff at Searcy Health and Rehab; and Arkansas Hospice for helping bring him home. Visitation is Wednesday from 5 until 8 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home. Graveside funeral services will be Thursday at 10 a.m. at Pine Crest Memorial Park in Alexander, Arkansas. Arrangements by Powell Funeral Home of Searcy. www.powellfuneralhome.net.