Cleo Elmer Hancock, Jr.

Born October 2,1944 in Kansas City, Missouri, Cleo Elmer Hancock, Jr. was the eldest child of Cleo Elmer Hancock, Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Taylor Hancock.  His siblings, Arlene, George (deceased) and Allen, joined him later.  Cleo spent most of his formative years in Frankfurt, Germany and Trenton, New Jersey. 

As with most military families, the Hancocks moved frequently; nevertheless, his mother Mary ensured that Cleo and his siblings had religious training.   At one point, Cleo served as an altar boy, although spending most of his time at the Trenton Shiloh Baptist Church.   Cleo attended and graduated from Trenton High School where he was a member of the German club, the Glee club and the male chorus.  During this time, Cleo also cherished singing with his “doowop” friends at various events around the Trenton and Philly areas, and he enjoyed being part of his beloved neighborhood social club, the Partiesans.

Nearing high school graduation, Cleo reflected that he gave little thought to his future until his neighbor Mr. Jim Varner, a college graduate himself, urged him and his parents to consider college as Cleo’s “next steps”.     At the continuous urging of Mr. Jim Varner (who remained a beacon and mentor), in 1962 Cleo applied for and was admitted to Howard University.  While there, he was active in both traditional and non-traditional extra-curricular activities.  To help pay tuition, Cleo worked several jobs that included an usher at Howard’s Crampton Auditorium, a staff member in the U.S. House of Representatives, and later an officer with the United States Capitol Police.  During these years, Cleo was accepted into the Air Force ROTC pilot program, and after pledging into the Arnold Air Society, Cleo was selected as Commander.    

Cleo’s Howard University education was interrupted during the Vietnam era; he was drafted into the U.S. Army.  As a military policeman, Cleo served mainly in Germany and culminated his military commitment at Fort Dix, New Jersey.  He often reflected on his military experiences and how those historical events relate to current day occurrences.  Cleo’s quest for additional knowledge would carry him to his next phase.  In 1970, Cleo returned to Howard to complete his BA in history and his MSW in 1973, while working as a legislative analyst with the Congressional Black Caucus. 

After working in the Federal legislative branch of government, Cleo received an offer as a researcher with the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences, which provided him an opportunity to delve into the health status of Black Americans.  In 1978, Cleo joined the Federal executive branch of government, initially as a health analyst, then as a legislative analyst, and finally as a policy analyst.  Cleo’s performance in those positions earned him numerous awards.

In 1986, Cleo married Carleen Talley, blending his family, Chris and Kevin, with Carleen and her daughter Omya.  They moved to their lifelong home in Fort Washington, MD.  In the community, Cleo was a member and supporter of Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in Clinton, Maryland, an active member of the Tantallon North Civic Association, and a coach for Prince Georges County youth soccer teams.  During their 39 years of marriage, Cleo and Carleen traveled extensively within and outside the United States; Nova Scotia, the Grand Canyon, the Louvre, and the European “torcher” tours were the areas he reminisced the most.    

Upon retirement in year 2000 from the Federal government, Cleo remained active.  He performed some contract work for the Defense Department as an investigator, served as President of Prince Georges County National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees, and volunteered as the county’s southern Ombudsman for Nursing Homes.  In 2018, Cleo and Carleen joined the Alfred Street Baptist Church, Alexandria, Virginia, and became members of its Seasoned Saints ministry.

Cleo valued family gatherings with both the Hancocks and the Talleys, often recalling people and events that were special to him.  He was especially supportive of anyone in need.   Cleo was a “history buff” who could talk for hours about Black Americans in the military, especially during the Civil War and World War I and II.   Cleo was also a “movie buff”, who once refused an offer to become a movie critic because he said he’d rather enjoy a movie than analyze its content.  Cleo was a strong advocate for education, often sharing its benefits and his experiences (both mistakes and triumphs) with his children, grandchildren and anyone else who would listen. 

On November 23, 2025, after a brief illness with his wife Carleen by his side, Cleo Elmer Hancock, Jr., transitioned to his new life.

Cleo leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife Carleen Talley; his children: Christopher Anderson (Tracey), Kevin Hancock (Shytise), and Omya Alston (Jamal Hanson);  five grandchildren: Kendall and Sydney Anderson, Malacai Hancock, Alexandria Richards, and Olivia Price; two siblings:  Arlene and Allen Hancock; five brothers-in-law; seven sisters-in-law; lifelong friends:  Dr. Chester Robinson, Glen Davis, Robert (Pete) and Julia Peterson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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