James Howard 'Jim' 'Governor' Hancock

(October 22, 1940 ~ January 16, 2025)

Jim, son of Allen Charles Hancock and Catherine Flemming and married to Marie Ferrari.

Jim Hancock died in San Rafael, California on January 16, 2025.

Jim was born at home on October 22, 1940 and grew up near Lawn, Texas.  He was graduated from Jim Ned High School in 1959.  He began his education at Texas A&M and later earned an undergraduate and a graduate degree from Golden Gate University.  The Army sent him to San Francisco in 1963 where he later met Marie Ferrari, a fourth generation San Franciscan.  Jim and Marie were married in 1965.  They lived in San Francisco until 1983 when Jim’s job took them to Dallas.  In 1984, his job took them back to California.  They settled in San Rafael, across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, where they lived for the rest of his life.  Jim spent 35 years working as a business analyst in the insurance industry.  For several years, he also was an adjunct professor at Golden Gate University. 

For many years, Jim ran several miles every day and finished three marathons as well as several dozen shorter races.  In his retirement years, he was a furniture maker, wrote more than two dozen novels, and was an officer and longtime member of Sons in Retirement.

Jim and Marie were inveterate travelers and always spent their vacations somewhere in the outdoors.  They visited Europe four times and saw many of the world’s greatest treasures including Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Omaha Beach, the Magna Carta and Stonehenge.  They also visited Alaska, Hawaii, and every national park west of the Mississippi River.

For many years, they spent part of every summer backpacking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, venturing into remote regions of Yosemite National Park.  They survived multiple encounters with bears and rattlesnakes, crossed fast flowing rivers, and were sometimes out of touch with civilization for days at a time.  Along the way, they climbed Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 states, and Half Dome, the iconic rock formation in Yosemite Valley.

Jim is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marie Ferrari-Hancock, their son Aaron Hancock of Oakland, California, Aaron’s wife Maricela Ramirez and their sons Lucas and Liam.  He also is survived by his daughter Jessica Fodor of San Diego, California, her husband Christopher Fodor, and their daughters Serena and Kayla.  He was preceded in death by his brother Tyre and his sister Sandra.  He is survived by his sister Mary Black of Abilene, Texas.

A memorial mass will be said at St. Raphael’s church in San Rafael, where Jim was an active member for many years.  His ashes will be interred somewhere among the granite in Yosemite’s high country.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Society of St. Vincent DePaul, 1104 Fifth Street, San Rafael, California  94901, an organization that helps families in need.

Lance Michael Lucas

(October 20, 1986 ~ December 27, 2024)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lance Michael Lucas, who left this world on December 27, 2024, in Abilene, Texas, at the age of 38. Lance was born on October 20, 1986, in Liberty, Texas, to Anita Lucas and Frank Hunt. He grew up alongside his brother, Andrew Jarrett, creating cherished memories that will be treasured forever.

Lance attended and graduated from Jim Ned High School, embarking on a life that was full of creativity and curiosity. He worked in several industries over the years, always bringing his unique flair and enthusiasm to everything he did. Lance found joy in creating things, whether it was through his love of music, playing the guitar, or crafting something new.

An avid collector of 80s and 90s memorabilia, Lance also loved video games, live music, attending concerts, and shooting. He was a dedicated fan of The Golden Girls and had a knack for finding humor in any situation. Despite a lifetime of medical challenges, including numerous surgeries and losing the use of his legs, Lance maintained a positive outlook on life that inspired those around him.

Lance was a devoted father to his three children: Henry Lucas, Hadley Lucas, and Teddy Lucas. His children were the light of his life, and he took immense pride in being their dad.

Those who knew Lance remember him for his warm sense of humor, his easygoing nature, and his kindness. He was the type of person who could light up a room and leave everyone smiling. His friends often commented on his positivity, describing him as a great guy who was both funny and compassionate.

To celebrate Lance's life, a gathering will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2025, from 12–4 p.m. at Rockin Rollerz Craft Burgers, located at 1055 Judge Ely Blvd, Abilene, Texas. Snacks will be provided, and all are welcome to share memories, laughter, and love in honor of Lance.

Lance will be deeply missed but fondly remembered by all who knew and loved him.

Donald Eugene Saverance

(November 29, 1933 ~ January 12, 2025)

Donald, son of Harry Felton Saverance and Ima Cleo Slough and married Sybie Louise McDaniel.

Donald Eugene Saverance was born November 29, 1933 on a family ranch a few miles southeast of Lawn, near the Jim Ned Creek. Donald was the son of Felton and Cleo (Slough) Saverance. He attended school in Goldsboro, Novice and graduated from Lawn High School. He went on to Texas Tech University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Economics. After graduation, he entered the United States Army and for two years he served in the Veterinary Corp. Upon his return to Abilene, he met the love of his life, Sybie Louise McDaniel. They were married on July 2, 1960.

Donald’s love of the land led him to his careers in ag-related vocations. He started out in Andrews County, Lynn County and finally got to come back home to Abilene where Donald serve thirty-seven years as the Executive Director of USDA Farm Service office in Taylor County. He continued his service in Taylor County with the Central Appraisal District. For sixteen years, he was the District’s Land Specialist. He very much enjoyed his many friends and associates that he grew to know down through his years of service.

As a Texas Tech alumni and supporter, he was a loyal Red Raider football fan. Besides his Red Raiders, his favorite activity was going to the country and piddling with his farming and ranching activities. Between farming seasons (wheat crops and calving season), he and Sybie enjoyed traveling. They also enjoyed the church, they are members of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents Felton and Cleo (Slough) Saverance, his in-laws, Coda and Lillian McDaniel, sister-in-law Annette Saverance and brother-in-law Jerry May.

He is survived by his bride of 64 years, Sybie (McDaniel) Saverance, brother Sidney Saverance (Kay Wilson), sisters Mary Eubanks (Gary), Suzy McPhail (Mike), sister-in-law Kay May, children Donnell Guynn (Geoff), Paul Saverance, grandchildren Kindell Poprawa (Wojtek), Kathryn ‘Jane’ Bruington, Thomas Saverance, a great-grandson William and many special nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank all of those who have helped care for Donald, particularly Carol Johnson, as well as the nurses and staff at Hendrick Hospice Care. Our thanks also goes out to the many friends and family that have visited with and prayed for Donald and family.

A private graveside service will be held prior to Donald’s celebration of life. We will celebrate the life of Donald, Dad, and Peepaw in the chapel of Hamil Family Funeral Home located at 6449 Buffalo Gap Road at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 16, 2025 with Jeff Reid officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests considering a donation to the Hendrick Hospice Center, Pioneer Drive Baptist Church or a charity of their choice. Memories maybe shared, and condolences submitted online at www.HamilFamilyFuneralHome.com

Posted online on January 14, 2025

Published in Abilene Reporter News

James Larry Webb

(May 18, 1945 ~ January 1, 2025)

Larry attended South Taylor School District in Tuscola from 1st grade through 6th grade and graduated from Winters High School in 1963.

Larry Webb died at age 79 on his property in Moro, Texas. He cares deeply for the Moro community, and for years made a point of weekly visits with many friends for the sharing of support, news, and happenings. If you needed someone to take care of your pets or farm animals while you were on a trip, you just let Larry know. In everything he does, there is integrity, strength, and loyalty, but he definitely has a stubborn, opinionated streak, and would sure share those opinions with you if you hit on the right topic.

Throughout Larry’s life he has been many things:  son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, local historian, amateur archeologist and artifact collector, occasional self-proclaimed attorney, farmer, fire chief, architect, engineer, and soldier, to name just a few. He is a very proud author, and even now his three books (“From Moro to Bluff Creek:  An Autobiography”; “Toyah Medicine Woman of Bluff Creek”; and “The Bears of Moro”) can be found on Amazon.com. He is the fourth generation of his family to live in Moro, and he is followed closely by two additional generations, the strong women who are his legacy, his daughters and grand-daughters. Much of this obituary refers to Larry in the present tense because his girls will have it no other way. He is alive and well in the hearts and lives of all who knew him.

Larry Webb was born in Winters, Texas on May 18th, 1945. He attended South Taylor School in Tuscola, and graduated from Winters High School in Winters, Texas in 1963, before studying engineering at the University of Texas in Austin. He met and married his wife, Sherryl, in 1966. He was later drafted into the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam as an Airborne Ranger, receiving various medals including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. After leaving the military, Larry and Sherryl built a house in the Moro community and moved back home with their young daughters. Larry worked as a farmer and an engineer in Abilene, Texas for Tippet & Gee Engineering firm, and later for Dyess Air Force Base. He may have worked “in town”, but his heart has always been out on the farm. 

James Larry Webb is preceded in death by his parents, Bruce and Bessie Webb; brother, Tommy Webb; and his beloved granddaughter, Kelsey Webb. Kelsey’s loss in 2016 at the age of 20 was a deep wound for the entire family, and it is a comfort to know they are together once again. They are probably hunting arrowheads while he makes up (greatly exaggerated) stories and sings “Saginaw, Michigan” and Heehaw’s “Pfft You Were Gone”. Larry is survived by his wife, Sherryl Webb; his daughters, Telitha Webb and Lauri Webb; his granddaughters, Kenzie Webb and Sheyann Gadberry; his brother, Bill Webb; and his sister, Mary Webb.

At Larry’s long-time request, he will be cremated and there will be no formal memorial service. Instead, friends and family will be invited for one more “Coffee with Larry” in the Fellowship Hall at Moro Baptist Church. It will be a small, informal get-together for visiting and sharing stories on Saturday, January 18 at 9:30am. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Bluff Creek Cemetery Trust at Happy State Bank. Larry has had a life-long commitment to participating in the caretaking of his community cemetery. 

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