Phil Hancock of Fletcher-Day Funeral Home, a lifelong community advocate and volunteer, was presented with the annual Golden Eagle Award at a ceremony April 4 at First Methodist Church.
“What the world needs is more Phil Hancock,” dinner chair Troy Cheney said at the awards ceremony.
Hannock, a native of Upson County, is the son of Hubert and Annie Bell Hancock. He is a graduate of his RE Lee Institute and Mercer University.
Mr. Hannock, who started out part-time, has worked full-time for FD Funeral Home for 31 years and continues to work for the company part-time, for a total of 57 years now.
He is a deacon of Fellowship Baptist Church, president of the Thurston Community Club, a member of the Upson County Farm Bureau, and a member and past president of the Thomaston Sartoma Club.
His hobbies include traveling, history, reading, and caring for his beloved pets.
As a child in the Thurston community, he was a member of Boy Scout Troop 39.
“A Scout is reliable, loyal, kind, friendly, courteous, hospitable, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and irreverent,” Cheney commented. “I think you can use all the same words to sum up our friend Phil Hancock…I can't think of anyone who doesn't love Phil Hancock.”
While accepting the award, Hancock said, “When I think about all the people who have won this award in the past, I feel very humbled.''
He thanked those involved in the ceremony and thanked the families and friends of all Boy Scouts for their encouragement, support, transportation and financial support, saying, “Without these people, Scouting would not be where it is today.'' It wouldn't have been anything like that,” he added.
The 2024 Upson County Golden Eagle Dinner, sponsored by the Flint River Council of the Boy Scouts of America, is held annually to recognize outstanding community leaders while also serving as a fundraising event for the Flint River Council.
Following opening remarks by Chaney and an invocation by Pastor Jason Weeks of Fellowship Baptist Church, Scouts from Pack 134 (based at First Presbyterian Church of Thomaston) gave a color presentation, followed by Lou Lou's A catered dinner was provided.
FPC Pastor Glenn Gilstrap provided a report on the local Scouts and noted the many things the Scouts do to serve the community. Upson County has Pack 25, Troop 25 (both sponsored by his FMC), and Pack 134.
Prior to the award presentation, Dr. David Thomson of Upson Regional Medical Center presented the “Challenge” portion of the evening where participants were asked to pledge funds to support the Scouts. He also shared his own personal experience with scouting.
At the end of the ceremony, it was announced that the event raised $13,960 for the approximately 2,400 Boy Scouts “here and in the eight-county area” served by the Flint River Council, exceeding the goal of $12,000.
In addition to Cheney, the leadership team that night included Tony Chastain, Dr. Matt Crawford, Jessica Hudson, Ben James, Phyllis Sanders, and Rev. Weeks.
Silver sponsors include Upson EMC, Virginia Well Company, Inc., and Advanced Accounting. URMC was a gold sponsor.
Past local award recipients include Janice Bennett, the late Mayor Hayes Arnold, Eddie Rogers, Scott Blackstock, Richard Bischoff and Sheriff Dan Kilgore.