Gary Hickman 1944-2021
Gary Hickman, 77-year-old former Fort Supply, Okla., resident and current Ponca City, Okla., resident, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, in Ponca City.
Funeral services were held Monday, Nov. 29 at the First Baptist Church of Woodward with the Rev. Steve Scott officiating. Burial followed in the Fargo Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Billings Funeral Home.
Gary Lee Hickman was born on Feb. 3, 1944, in Dewey County, Oklahoma, to Andrew Robert and Ella May (Hunter) Hickman. When Gary was in the sixth grade the family moved to the farm by Fort Supply. He attended school in Fort Supply and graduated from Fort Supply High School. Gary received his bachelor’s degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and later received his master’s degree from Purdue University.
He was united in marriage to Sylvia Lee (Rosendale) Hickman at the Church of Christ in Woodward, Okla. They made their first home in Weatherford. They lived in different places including, Artesia, N.M., Gage, Okla., Hugoton, Clearwater and Ponca City, Okla.
Gary enjoyed working in the aeronautical industry at Cessna for 31 years after he taught mathematics in high school and coached for 10 years. Gary loved the sport of basketball and was very athletic. He played collegiate basketball and coached many teams and transitioned his love of the sport to his children and grandchildren.
He was a dedicated Cub Scout leader and loved helping the troop build their Pinewood Derby cars, and have no doubt, Gary’s troop always took home the gold! Gary loved teaching others and taught all of his children and their friends to work on their cars, build and maintain their homes, grow gardens and any number of other life skills.
Fast cars were always fun for Gary, but the bigger the vehicle (tractor, dozer, fertilizer spreader, cement trucks, and school buses) the more he enjoyed driving it. He loved reading and spending time with his grandchildren, especially when they got old enough to play cards and participate in any sport.
Gary was always there to lend a hand and make sure the job got done right. He instilled in his children a strong and positive work ethic, a commitment to Christ and to each other.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sylvia Hickman, of the home in Ponca City; two sons, Brian Hickman and wife Lisa, Holton, and Christopher Hickman; a daughter, Donda Hickman; five grandchildren, Forrestal Rede Hickman and Kari Vanderplaats, Calista Irene (Hickman) Walker and husband Reginald, Danika Janae Hickman, Wyatt Keith Hickman and Brody Levi Hickman; a great-grandchild, Neziah Kingston Walker; a brother, Jack Hickman; a brother-in-law, Curt Wills; other relatives and many friends.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Ella May Hickman; a brother, Robert Hickman; and two sisters, Almeda Latta and Karen Wills.
Remembrances may be shared online at www.billingsfuneralhomewoodward.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
