Joe Don Hancock

Longtime Midland businessman, Joe Don Hancock, 75, passed away after a brief illness on Thursday, October 22, 2015. He was born November 28, 1939 in Plainview, Texas to Fred and Mildred Hancock. Before graduating from Plainview High School in 1957, he worked in the advertising department at the Plainview Daily Herald. He married his high school sweetheart, Jolene Anderson, on February 7, 1958. In 1969, Joe Don began publishing a bi-weekly newspaper, The Plainview Reporter-News, which he operated until 1981 when he moved his family to Midland. After working for a national oil and gas magazine, he accepted a position with Womack, Claypool, Griffin Advertising in Odessa. In 1985, he joined Snelson Advertising, and in 1986, purchased the agency and renamed it The Hancock Group, which he continued to run until his death. The agency continues to operate under the Hancock Group name. Joe Don was a member of Golf Course Road Church of Christ and volunteered with many civic and faith organizations, including Downtown Rotary, Emmaus, CASA, and the Exchange Club. He attended many local Bible studies. A lifelong golfer, Joe Don played twice weekly for many years. He was an insatiable reader, preferring biographies and books about history, and he had a deep appreciation for music of all kinds and loved attending live concerts, most recently accompanying his wife, daughters, and oldest granddaughter to Dallas to see Fleetwood Mac. He was a friend of Bill W.'s for 35 years. Joe Don was predeceased by his parents and one brother, Kenneth. He is survived by his wife, Jolene; his children, Staci Brow of Lubbock, Carrie (Ron) Kalt of Midland, and Jason (Amy) Hancock of Nashville, Tennessee; his grandchildren, Caty Brow (Jason) Holiedy of Lubbock, Aaron Brow of Kerrville, Braden Kalt, Keenan (Kalie) Kalt, Jordan (Matt) Butz, Kaitlin Kalt, and Maddie Kalt all of Midland, and Mollie Hancock of Nashville; his great grandchildren, Channing and Jack Holiedy of Lubbock and Lainey Butz and Kamdyn Kalt, both of Midland; his brother Bruce (Kathy) Hancock of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; his sister Judeene (Ed) Blankenship of Austin; his sister-in-law, Hope Hancock of Odessa; brother-in-law, Andy (Nicky) Anderson of Lubbock; and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive guests from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, October 25, 2015 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home in Midland. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 26, 2015 at Golf Course Road Church of Christ. Memorials may be made to Midland Christian School, 2001 Culver DR, Midland, TX 79705, Kenya Women and Orphans Ministries, 3500 W Golf Course RD, Midland, TX 79703, or Hospice of Midland, PO Box 2621, Midland, TX 79702. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.