Lee Herbert Hancock

July 19, 2012

LEE HERBERT HANCOCK (May 30, 1919 – July 19, 2012) Lee Herbert Hancock 93 of Rocky Ford died Thursday July 19, 2012 at the Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center. Lee was born in Rocky Ford, Colorado on May 30, 1919, the son of Elmer and Ethel Hancock. Lee was the third son in a family of five boys. He graduated from Rocky Ford High School with the class of 1937 and was a lifelong resident supporter of Rocky Ford Lee Hancock and Eleanor Gardner were married on May 2, 1943 in La Junta Co. The couple had two children, Bill Hancock of Rocky Ford and Nancy Morris of Canon City. Lee was very active in High School, serving as a bus driver and participating in both football and basketball. After graduation, he went into farming and livestock production with his father and later on his own. Lee and Eleanor leased their farm when he went to work as Superintendent of the High Line Canal. Lee really enjoyed working with the farmers under the High Line, improving the system and being involved in the many water issues affecting the Arkansas Valley. Lee took time to become involved in many organizations. He was on the board of directors of the High Line Canal Co when he was asked to serve as Superintendent until the board could find a permanent superintendent. That temporary assignment ended up lasting nearly 40 years. Lee also served on the Board of Directors of the Federal Land Bank, was president of the Four States Board of Cooperatives, Arkansas Valley Fair Board, Parr Foundation and 71 year member and past Exalted Ruler of the Rocky Ford Elks Lodge 1147. He was also very involved St. Johns Masonic Lodge, Al Kaly Shrine, Jesters and the Oriental Band. Lee was also a longtime member of the Otero County 4-H Foundation. Lee and his family were part of the group effort to get the Pioneer Hospital established in Rocky Ford. When the time came to close the hospital, he became a board member of the Hospital Board which took the income from the sale of the hospital facility, invested those funds and to this day use the interest income to promote and finance health related projects in western Otero and Crowley Counties. One of the projects of the Hospital Board was the construction of the Cottonwood Ridge Assisted Living facility. Lee and Eleanor were later able to personally take advantage of that facility. Lee is survived by son Bill ( Karen ) Hancock of Rocky Ford and daughter Nancy Morris of Canon City. Four grandsons, Lee W. Hancock ( Andrea ) and Patrick A. Hancock ( Megan) both of Rocky Ford and Russell Bender ( Shelly ) of Pueblo and Clifford Bender (Joetta ) of Canon City. Great grandchildren Nathan and Lily Hancock of Rocky Ford, Alyssa and Ashlynn Hancock of Rocky Ford, Cole Bender of Pueblo and Naaman and Annabella Bender of Canon City. Lee is also survived by a brother Robert Hancock of Greely Co. Lee was preceded in death by his parents, wife Eleanor, brothers Elmer(Elizabeth), Harold ( Maureen) , and Doug Hancock. Sister in laws Ruth Hancock, Nancy Mesch, Susan Winzel and Katherine Leir. Funeral services will be at The Community Presbyterian Church at 11:00 am Monday July 30, 2012 with Pastor Steve Culver officiating. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Rocky Ford Community Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund ,303 So. 9th Street, Rocky Ford, Co 81067. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ford-Ustick Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to www.fordustick.com.