- Date Of Birth: January 3, 1932
- Date Of Death: May 22, 2016
- State: Georgia
Francis Wade Hancock (Coach Hancock) passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 22, 2016, at his home in Senoia surrounded by his family. He was born on Jan. 3rd, 1932 to Franklin Alfonsa Hancock and Emily Scroggins of Hackneyville, Alabama, and grew up there along with his two older sisters.
After high school, he served in the US Army and was stationed in Japan during the Korean War. After leaving the military, he attended Troy State Teachers College which later became TroyState University, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in History and English. While attending college, he met and married his wife of over 60 years, Merle Adams Hancock. After college, he taught school and was Principal of the public school in Daviston, AL. He accepted a coaching/teaching position at East Coweta High School in 1963 and moved to Senoia. He taught a variety of subjects at East Coweta, but primarily Civics, History, and Physical Education classes. Although he enjoyed teaching, his great love, other than his family, was sports. Over the years, he coached many different sports including baseball, softball, basketball, and track. He was instrumental in bringing football to East Coweta and he and Richard Ingram coached the school’s first football team in 1967 he continued coaching football for many years afterward. He taught and coached for thirty-three years. Once retired, he devoted his time to his wife and watching his grandchildren and later great grandchildren participate in sports and other activities. Few things made him happier than an afternoon or evening spent with his family watching his beloved University of Alabama football team play. Roll Tide!
He is predeceased by his parents and his sister, Jean Hancock Osborne, and son-in-law, Martin Floyd. He is survived by his wife and three children; Marcus (Carol) Hancock, Gale Goldenberg, and Ellen (Larry) Anderson, as well as his sister, Willette Hancock Martin of Alexander City, Alabama, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by six grandchildren; Julie (Bernie) Brody, Kelley Anderson, Ian (Shay) Goldenberg, Adam (Ashley) Hancock, Renee (Nate) Lawler, and Zach (Grace) Anderson, as well as eight great grandchildren; Austin McIntyre, Caden Nicholson, Myla Brody, Colton Lawler, Dylan Lawler, Gray Goldenberg, Greenley Goldenberg, and Jackson Hancock.
