Curtis Glen Hancock

Curtis Hancock was Polk County, Florida, through and through. Devoted to his home and his family, he believed in the adaptive reuse of historic buildings, adding businesses, opportunity, and value to the community. Curtis learned hard work at an early age. Hired as a sixteen-year-old bag boy at the Southgate Publix, Curtis then worked his way up to store manager at the same store. While growing his own career, he supported his wife, Kim, in her dreams first opening Simple Vintage in downtown Lakeland, then buying and expanding Rafa Natural. After retiring from Publix, Curtis owned and operated several Bimbo Bread routes. Then he and Kim bought the historic Stuart Building in downtown Bartow. In 2022, Curtis opened his dream business: White Oak BBQ & Supply Mercantile. After buying and restoring the beloved KT Pharmacy building in Bartow, Curtis and White Oak quickly became an important hub of Central Florida where customers were always greeted with his great smile and usually a sample of whatever Curtis was grilling. most people didn’t say “i went to white oak”... They said “i went to see Curtis.”

Born in Lakeland, Curtis attended Carlton Palmore Elementary, Southwest Junior High School, and Lakeland High School, where he and Kim started dating. They married at 19 (at the united Methodist Temple on a Tuesday). Had two amazing kids, Courtney and Logan, who now also work in the family businesses. And built a wonderful life full of adventures.

Curtis is survived by his wife, of almost 30 years, Kim Hancock, daughter, Courtney Morris (Noah); son, Logan Harris Hancock (Madison); four-legged babies Lucy, Silas, and Haven of Bartow, FL; mom, Mary Jane Brinson; dad, Mike Brinson; uncle,  Davis Jr., Uncle, Danny Davis, and cousin Ivan Davis of Polk county, fl. Curtis was preceded in death by his dad, Walter Harris Hancock Jr., granddad Walter Harris Hancock sr., Nana Annie Mary Hancock Narramore, Pops Lewis Alfred Davis sr., Grandma Davis Mary Davis Kelley, and four-legged baby Granger.