John Hancock

John Cambre Hancock, born October 13, 1944, passed on Monday, February 26, 2024 at the age of 79 surrounded by his family at his home in Denham Springs.

He was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He went to Louisiana State University for a B.A. in Landscape Architecture and Southeastern Louisiana University for a B.S. in Respiratory Therapy. In 1974, he traveled to the Pacific Northwest where he met and married his wife in 1982. Moving back to southern Louisiana, he continued in his work in the boat business eventually co-owning Cooper Marine in Denham Springs, Louisiana. In 1991 he went back to school to earn a Bachelor of Science and work as a Respiratory Therapist until he retired in 2012.

John was a member of Boy Scouts, attaining Eagle Scout. He was an original board member and founder of the Baton Rouge Chapter of the Gulf Coast Conservation Association (now known as CCA), a member of Pope & Young Club, and a lifelong member of Live Oak Church in Watson, Louisiana. He was a lifelong bow hunter, hunting in numerous states over the years. John enjoyed both saltwater and freshwater fishing, a hobby he and his wife often did together. He enjoyed many creative pursuits including painting, jewelry making and creating fly fishing lures which he gifted to family and friends. A great lover of the outdoors – he knew the names of nearly all flora and fauna native to Louisiana and was a prolific gardener. Taught by his Cajun mother, he loved to cook and especially enjoyed it after retirement. He greatly enjoyed spending time with his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren.

The last twelve years of his life were marked by his journey with Mantle Cell non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (MCL). Initially given a terminal diagnosis in 2011, John searched for alternative treatment options which eventually led to MD Anderson (MDA). Mantle Cell is a very rare type of cancer, but through many treatment protocols – including four clinical trials – Doctors Fayad and Cataldo produced a plan that took three months and turned them into twelve years – all by the extravagant, miraculous and gracious provision of God. During his treatments over the years, John would share his own story offering the hope that he had found through his faith and always giving God the glory for his numerous remissions. Cancer is scary and he wanted to offer the comfort and encouragement he found in Christ. Special thanks to all those who prayed and loved us through his twelve-year journey with cancer. God has been faithful and John finished well.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Marci Hancock, daughter Sarah Hancock Easterly (John W. Easterly, Jr.), grandchildren Kevin Musgrove (Madeline Musgrove), Isaac Easterly, Lark Easterly, Laurel Easterly, and Lillian Easterly, and brother: Robert (Robbie) Hancock. He is preceded in death by parents Robert (Donald) Hancock and Annie Mae Cambre Hancock, and son Matthew Hancock.

In Lieu of Flowers please send donations to Stillwaters Refuge of Hope at

Special Thanks to Rev. Stephen Hebert – Associate Pastor, Hospice Nurse and dear friend; and Doctors Luis Fayad of MD Anderson and Vince Cataldo of OLOL Cancer Center.

Visitation at 34890 LA-16, Denham Springs, LA 70706, Live Oak Church in Watson Louisiana Saturday, March 9 th from 9:30am-11:30am with a service starting at 11:30am. There will be a reception to follow onsite at the Family Life Center.