Ben Johnson Hancock Jr., of Yorktown, died Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015, at the age of 78.
Ben was a native of Gretna and a Peninsula resident since 1955. He was a graduate of Gretna High School, class of 1955. He also graduated from the Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School in 1960, where he was employed until retiring in 1998 as a general foreman in the machine shop after 43 years of service.
He was a member of the Army Reserves. Ben also served 12 years as chairman of the Advisory Board for Morgan James Publishing and three years as senior vice president of Morgan James Publishing.
Ben loved the Lord and served many years as an elder at Grace Fellowship Church in Hampton. He presently attended New Covenant Church and served as an elder there until 2012. He also served approximately 30 years on the school board of Hampton Christian Academy, stepping down only due to health in 2015.
Ben was a devoted family man and dearly loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He could always be found cheering on his children and grandchildren at any sports event they participated in. As an avid Washington Nationals fan, he enjoyed watching the games right up until his passing. Ben loved to travel with his wife Carolyn and they were blessed to see many parts of the world together.
Ben was a spiritual father to many and to know him was to love him. He was a kind, gentle man and will be sorely missed. We are rejoicing that he is in heaven enjoying his eternal reward and that we will see him again someday.
Ben is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carolyn Jeanfreau Hancock; children, Steven R. Hancock (Allison), of Chesapeake, Cynthia H. Sauer (David), of Yorktown, Lisa H. Hollingsworth (Russell), of Seaford and David L. Hancock (Susan), of Newport News; grandchildren, Bradley Hancock, Joel Hollingsworth, Jessica Sauer Howard (James), Joshua Hollingsworth, Logan Sauer, Ethan Hancock, Katelyn Sauer and Morgan Hancock; great-grandchildren, Blake Hancock and L.J. Howard; brother, Richard Charles Hancock (Janet), of Gretna; brother-in-law, Marcel Francis Jeanfreau Jr. (Cheryl), of Abbeville, Louisiana.
We would like to give a special thanks to Gentiva Hospice and Steve Burnette for the outstanding care and support we received during this difficult time.
A celebration of Ben’s life will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, at New Covenant Church, 1079 Big Bethel Road, Hampton VA 23666.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Hampton Christian Academy, 2419 N. Armistead Ave., Hampton VA 23666 or to New Covenant Church.
Please leave online condolences for the family in the comment section. Arrangements by Amory Funeral Home.
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