John Clifton "Jack" Hancock

Jack, 90, passed away peacefully on October 16, 2025 after a long struggle with dementia. His whole life was marked by his integrity, his kindness, his love for his family, his faith, and his determination. He loved playing golf anywhere he could find a game, fishing in Montana, in Canada, on Herrington Lake and in Florida, all while spending time with family and close friends. He made friends and connected well with people of all walks of life, whether they were civic or business leaders, depositors in his banks, waitresses, fishing guides, or nurses that gave him care in his final year. He disarmed people with his humor and had long running jokes with his close friends and family members. Jack was a passionate fan of the University of Kentucky sports teams attending football games for several decades with family and friends and he never missed watching their basketball games.
Jack was born in Huntington, WV on June 6, 1935, to Percy Clifton Hancock and Maybelle Ball Hancock. Jack was only two years old when his father died. He and his mother moved to Ironton, OH to be near family members. After a couple of years in college playing basketball at Ohio University and Ashland Community College, he got a job in the mailroom at the National Bank of Dayton and moved his way up to a bank officer while earning a degree from Rutgers School of Banking. In 1966 Jack and his young family moved to Danville, Ky and he became President of Citizens National Bank not long after his arrival there. He retired from the bank in 1992 and served as chairman of the board until 1997. In Danville, he had many civic endeavors including a long service with Ephraim McDowell Hospital, chairing the board of the hospital and the hospital foundation. Jack also volunteered with Heart of Danville Main Street Program, The American Red Cross, Chamber of Commerce, The Salvation Army, Kiwanis Club, and Danville Presbyterian Church, where he served as clerk of session. A couple of years after retiring, Jack moved to Louisville and was involved with Rotary Club, Kilgore Samaritan Counseling Center, Gilda's Club, Hildegard House, Everyone Reads. He served as a Stephen Minister in Florida and in Louisville and mentored a boy at Bellewood Home for Children.
Jack was predeceased by his parents, his brother Bob, and his daughter, Betsy Bright. He is survived by his wife Lee Altsheler Rue Hancock, his children John, David (Kathleen), and Katy Bramel (Steve), his bonus sons Mitch (Jen), George, and David (Melissa), his grandchildren Ben and Chris Bright, Jonathon, Josh, and Claire Hancock, Kelsea Sexton (Jonathan), Lindsay Tamme, and Will Bramel, DJ and LeeAnn Hancock, William and Jackson Rue, Elizabeth Harris (Cameron), Lucy and Lila Rue, and 6 great grandchildren.
There will be a visitation and service in Danville on Thursday October 30 at Southland Christian Church located at 1001 Ben Ali Drive, Danville, KY 40422 with visitation at 2PM followed by a service at 3:00 PM. There will be a visitation and service in Louisville on Saturday November 1 at St Francis in the Fields Church located at 6710 Wolf Pen Branch Road Harrod's Creek, KY 40027, with visitation at 10:00 AM, funeral service at 11:00 AM with a reception to follow in Graves Hall until 1:30. There will be a private family burial at Cave Hill Cemetery afterwards. His family are very thankful for the care he received on the Masonic Home campus especially the last year in the Crescent Grove memory unit. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Gilda's Club, Hildegard House, Great American Brass Band Festival (Danville), or a charity of your choice in his honor. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Clifton "Jack" Hancock, please visit our floral store.