David Rede Hancock
David Rede Hancock, born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 1, 1939, to Leonard and Ruth Laulainen. He grew up in Southern California where he attended Page Military Academy with his younger brother Mike Hancock, from 1947-1957. He later attended Hollywood High School as well as Beverly Hills High School where he left school early getting GED so he could pursue his love of adventure and travel.
It was at this time he joined the Navy in 1956, as an aircrew member on C-121 Super Constellation, where he served four years. He then joined the Army volunteering to try out for the Green Berets. He attended the Special Warfare Center where he was trained in Counterinsurgency Operations, scuba, Paratrooper/airborne operations, foreign language skills, and unconventional warfare. Upon earning the highly coveted Green Beret he served with the 1st Special Forces Group, 5th SFG, 12th SFG, and 19th SFG.
He left fulltime military service in 1966 where he continued his quest of adventure and calling to serve his community and nation as a police officer for Torrance Police Department, in Torrance, California. He served his community and the city of Torrance for 28 years. He started his police career as a patrolman working his way up the ranks to detective. It was during this time he also attended various colleges such as, Cal State Dominguez, and El Camino College. He earned his master degree in public administration from Pepperdine University. Additionally, he served in the United States Marine Corp with 3rd ANGLICO and the Torrance Police Department SWAT Team until he retired from the police department in 1988.
Dave moved his family to Sandpoint, Idaho, where he transferred into the 12th Special Forces Group. It was at this time he was offered a supervisory position with the Forest Service where he worked several years before accepting a position with Bonner County Sheriff’s Office, where he was charged with overseeing the jail. He did this for several years before attempting retirement once more. During this retirement he accepted a position with the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He served in every branch of the military except the Air Force.
His passions were fishing, hunting, camping, shooting, and reluctantly playing golf, and any outdoor activity and of course sharing this all with his family. His family meant a lot to him and he showed this by sharing his children and grandchildren’s accomplishments through stories and pictures on Facebook.
David Rede Hancock was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Ruth Laulainen. David is survived by his wife of 40 years, Carolann Hancock; his children, Troy Hancock, Roland Howard of Beaverton, Oregon, Eric Howard, Darcie Howard, David Mitchell of Florida, and Todd Hancock; his brothers, Michael Hancock of Texas, Leonard Laulainen of Minnesota, Mark Laulainen of Minnesota; and sister, Diana Staber (Laulainen) of Minnisota; 24 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service is scheduled at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, March 16, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 602 Schwitzer Cutoff Road, Sandpoint. A luncheon following at the same location. All are welcome to attend and celebrate David’s life.
As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to, Carolann Hancock, 414 Pine St., Sandpoint, ID 83864.
Family and friends are invited to sign David’s online guestbook at coffeltfuneral.com
Arrangements have been trusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.