Elmer R. Hancock

Elmer Ray Hancock, age 90, died Sunday, February 18, 2024 with family by his side. Elmer was born July 28, 1933 in Redwater, Texas to Walter and Burnice Hancock. He was a twin to sister Velma Hancock Mathias. They were born at their country home at 7 months, weighing 2 ¼ and 3 ¼ pounds. Their mom was paralyzed afterwards for several weeks and wasn’t able to care for them but they were lovingly cared for by their aunt. Their aunt put them in wooden shoe boxes in the oven to keep them alive and fed them karo syrup and water.

When Elmer was 6 years old the family moved to Mt. Vernon, Texas. The twins picked cotton to help with the farming. When Elmer was 13 the family moved to Springfield, Oregon. The twins picked strawberries and green beans during their teen years. They graduated from Springfield High School in 1953. Elmer made his choice to serve God in his teen years and was faithful until his death. Elmer enlisted in the U S Army in 1953. He served until 1956. Elmer then enrolled in the Office Machine Technology program at Oregon Technical Institute in Klamath Falls, OR (1957-58). He worked for a year after college doing typewriter repair. He began working for RSD (Refrigeration Supplies Distributor) in Eugene, Oregon in 1959.  He transferred to Boise, Idaho in 1962 with RSD. While working for RSD he was a salesman and also designed and ran bids for the apple and potato storage sheds in the southern Idaho area. He retired from RSD in 1993 but continued part time until 1995. Elmer enjoyed RC airplanes, trail-riding, fishing and wood working. In 2000, at 67 years of age, Elmer married long time family friend Mildred Walker. They enjoyed 22 years together. During their marriage Elmer and Mildred enjoyed fishing, gardening, caring for their yard, traveling, meeting new friends and hosting family and friends.

Survivors include his niece, Fay and nephew-in-law, Scott Benjamin of Boulder, Wyoming; great nieces, Becky (Kyle) Forsberg of Dunnell, MN, Anita Benjamin of Fergus Falls, MN, Kristy Benjamin of Laramie, WY, great nephew, Ryan Benjamin of Valentine, NE, great-great nephew, Walker Forsberg, nephews Carlos Hancock and David Smith of Hooks, TX; stepdaughter, Janis (Butch) Caston of Elk Grove, CA, stepsons Dick (Deb) Walker of Pollack Pines, CA and Don (Linda) Walker of Meridian, ID; step grandchildren Tony (Amy) Caston, Rebecca Kindrick, Jessica (Kevin) Daniel, Melissa Walker, Richard Walker, Brandi (Joe) Barklow, Katy (Javier) Aguilar, numerous step great grandchildren, cousins and a host of friends.

Elmer was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred; his parents, Walter and Burnice; twin sister and brother-in-law, Velma and Glenn;  a half-brother and sister-in-law, Sedford and Mary Lou; half-sister, Donie, a niece,  two nephews, several aunts and uncles.
Thank you to Edgewood Spring Creek Memory Care Facility and All Care Hospice for your care of Elmer.