Michael Ray Hancock, age 52, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, October 27, 2022, peacefully at home. Born August 3, 1970, in Richmond, Indiana., He was a graduate of Richmond High School Class of 1989.
Mike enlisted in the Army even before he graduated. He couldn’t wait to serve his country. He was an outstanding soldier, quickly ascending to the rank of Sergeant. He trained and mentored new recruits, shined as a Squad Leader, outran his platoon mates, and fought right beside them in armed combat. He was most proud of his tour in Germany and his deployments to the Middle East for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and Africa for Operation Restore Hope in Mogadishu, Somalia.
After his Army service, Mike used his leadership skills to guide his team in the fast-paced retail world. He managed many departments at Walmart over his nearly 20-year career. He was a manager who truly cared about his people, and they respected and loved him for it. He loved veterans and was a member of the American Legion Harry Ray Post 65. Every year, he would donate several turkeys and hams so local veterans wouldn’t go hungry on Thanksgiving. He would often pay for the meal or the groceries of someone he never knew or had just met in line. Mike was an organizer. He would set up camping trips, holiday parties, reunions with friends, and random summer gatherings just to have a beer and throw some cornhole. He also had a great sense of humor. Mike was tough, generous, funny, loving, and kind. He was a fierce protector of his friends, his family, and his country.
Survivors include his wife Anette Richardson Hancock; children, Alex Hancock, Cheyenne Hancock, and Brady Hancock; step-children, Haley Brown, Lauren Brown, Aubrielle Benbow, Carlienna Benbow, Jeston Benbow, and Shayne Benbow; grandchildren, Remy and Sawyer; parents, John (Stephanie) Hancock and Linda Pentecost Hancock Butler; brothers, Marty (Kate Glen) Hancock and Marco (Amber) Hancock; step-brother, Brian (Janelle) Butler, step-sisters Melissa Butler and Stacy Nelson, nieces and nephews, Ashley Mosley, Chace Hancock, Blake Hancock, and Connor Hancock, Kelsey (Mitch) Baumer, Jordan Harsh, Jaxson Harsh, Chloe Harsh; aunt, Brenda “Aunt B” (Bobby) Stover, and uncle, Gary (Shari) Pentecost; cousins and many friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Raymond and Martha Pentecost, James and Helen Hancock, and stepfather, Richard Butler.
Visitation for Michael Ray Hancock will be from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 4, 2022, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 4, 2022, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home with Brady Hancock officiating. Burial will be in Earlham Veteran’s Field of Honor. Memorial contributions may be made to: Service Dogs for Veterans, PAVE, P. O. Box 871, Cornelius, OR 97113 or Wounded Warriors Project, P. O. Box 758571, Topeka, Kansas, 66675. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.