James Thomas "Jim" Hancock

James Thomas Hancock

James Thomas (Jim) Hancock, 79 of Rochelle, Texas, passed away at his home on August 30, 2025. Graveside services for Jim Hancock will be held at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at the Rochelle Cemetery, with Pastor David Cross officiating, a visitation will be held at the Rochelle Baptist Church immediately following the graveside service. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Blaylock Funeral Home of San Saba.

Jimmy Hancock was born to Tom & Callie Ora (Hayes) Hancock on April 26, 1946. He was born in Beaumont, Texas at the Hotel Dieu Hospital, and the story is that he was so eager to enter the world that he almost beat the doctor to the party! He grew up in Devers, Texas and has always given much credit to the life lessons that he learned in the little town of Devers. He attended school at Devers Elementary and finished his high school education at Liberty High School, Liberty, Texas. Playing football for Liberty High School, working at the family filling station, farming and working in the rice fields, working cattle for local landowners, and growing up in the town of Devers were instrumental in shaping him into the hardworking, full of life, go-getter that we all know him to be.

In his life, he loved every job he ever had! Busting tires for his dad at the filling station, managing a group of hooligans at the Pac-A-Sac, pushing horses at the Talpa Texas Horse Center, being a baseball dad, a barrel horse trainer, or entertaining foreign oilmen at private dinners - Hancock was making friends and developing public relations in every setting. He worked in local industries as well as for international companies. He was always looking for the next big thing! His time spent in Russia, China, France, Africa, Singapore and many other places gave fuel to the many stories that he loved to tell. His stories were legendary, and were mixes of fact, fiction, and hard truth, but were always sure to get a point across. In his youth, his mother and sisters called them "windys"; in his young adult life, they were called "tall tales", in his later adulthood, they were called "total BS"! Jim's life was actually so full of living, that it does shock folks to know that most of the tales were true to life, and that he left out the parts that would be unbelievable.

He loved life and living. He loved the sounds of a drilling rig, the feel of a good horse dragging him down an alleyway, the slide of his feet on the perfect dance floor, the ping of a home run hit, the swoosh of a basketball as it hit the net, the smell of butter beans on the stove, the sound of a little girl laughing, the taste of homemade mayhaw jelly, the burn of good whiskey, and the company of a good dog. He loved the moments - big and small. He was a simple man, and a complex man, but he was a man that you could count on.

Jim is survived by his son Hoyt Hancock and daughter Kay Shackelford and husband Randle, all of Rochelle, Texas; two grandchildren, Casey and Ty Cutter; one great grandchild (and the light of his life!) Kynlee Shackelford and an unborn great-grandson due to arrive soon. He is also survived by two sisters Thomasena Bradburn and husband Mel of Houston, Texas, and Glenda Pitts and husband Jimmy of Willis, Texas, as well as a special friend Mary Willis. It is believed by those that knew him, that he is telling a story and sharing a toast to honor all of his friends and family.

Pallbearers are: Archie Morris, Roy "Bubba" Smith, Gary Weatherman, Jay Medrano, Curtis Wascom, and Ty Cutter Shackelford.

Honorary Pallbearers are: Champ Clark, Ira Johnson, Dale Anderson, JW Elkins, Danny McMullan, and Joe Garza

Online condolences can be made at www.blaylockfuneralhome.com