Mr. Gerald Louis Hancock, age 83, of Jasper, GA passed away Thursday, May 2, 2024.  Gerald was born on September 10, 1940 in Salina,KS, the son to the late Louis and Helene Hancock (Connell).

Gerald moved to Independence, MO as a young adult, where he married the love of his life, Mary Lightheart. The marriage was blessed with two children, Brent and Amy.   Gerald and Mary loved each other and during 61 years of marriage, enjoyed sharing precious moments and adventures together.

He was passionate about traveling, visiting places throughout the world, from the US to Europe, the Caribbean, Japan, China and Australia. Gerald was an avid photographer, restoring cameras and gifting them to family members so they could capture their special moments.

A lifelong learner, Gerald received a BA from Graceland University in Lamoni, IA then went on to earn a MA in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Missouri, Kansas City and an MBA, Human Resources emphasis, from the University of Missouri, Columbia.  He took additional Post-Master’s graduate study through the University of Nebraska, Omaha.

Gerald had a knack for connecting with people and through his kindness and generosity, touched many lives. In his retirement, he helped hundreds of people through his resume writing business find new jobs.  He was very active in his church, the Community of Christ, where he served in many capacities.

Over the course of his life, he served in countless areas: Boy Scouts as a scoutmaster, Lions Club, President American Field Service (AFS), HOA President of Tomasha Village, and President Japanese Sister City - Independence, MO.  His influence will forever remain in the lives of all who knew him.

Those left to celebrate his life include his wife, Mary Hancock (Lightheart) and two loving children: son, Brent (Debi) Hancock, Jasper, GA; daughter, Amy (Scott) Hough, Port Angeles, WA; 6 grandchildren: Abigail (Joe) Marchetti, Birmingham, AL; Melanie (Christopher) Wright, Washington, DC; Ian Hancock, Birmingham, AL; Bristol Hough, St. Louis, MO; Jillian Hough, Lamoni, IA; Sasha Hough, Townsville, Australia; stepmother, Karen Hancock (Oliver), many other family members and countless friends.

A Celebration of Life service to honor the life of Gerald Hancock will take place at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at Gudgell Park Community of Christ Church located at 500 East Gudgell Ave., Independence, MO.  A reception will follow the service.

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