John
John Joseph "Are you smiling?" Hickerson
d. December 3, 2015
Our beloved Dad, John Joseph Hickerson, of Albuquerque, NM passed away Thursday, December 3, 2015 at the age of 95.
John was born November 16, 1920 in Vandalia, Missouri. He was lovingly raised on the family farm by his parents, John Kenneth and Naomi Hickerson. John had two brothers, Jim and Earl, both of whom preceded him in death.
He is survived by his children, Kathy (Shelley) Burt of Albuquerque, Karol (Mike) Rademacher of San Antonio, Texas, Ken (Shawna) Hickerson of Albuquerque, Kris (Bart) Henry of Arlington, Texas, Tony (Janis) Jenkins of Wills Point, Texas and Michelle Harris of Albuquerque.
He was blessed with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. He thought they were all Grand, because they were all very special to him
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Jane Hickerson, second wife, Margaret Hickerson and son, Bruce Jenkins.
John graduated from Vandalia High School in May of 1938 where he lettered in basketball, track, academics, music and drama. His employment in Vandalia consisted of working on the farm and in the brick factory.
He graduated from the University of Missouri at Columbia in February of 1943 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. His collegiate time consisted of a full academic schedule while working two to three jobs simultaneously. During his last semester at Mizzou, he worked with two gentlemen that he highly regarded on an army project pertaining to the development of runways in North Africa. This experience taught him how to conduct research studies.
Following graduation, John was employed by US Radium in New York City where his salary was $200/month. His first day of employment he received a $25 raise. Upon receiving his first paycheck, he went to Gimbels Department Store and invested in the $99 special, which included a suit, shirt, underwear, shoes, socks, tie, belt and overcoat. He initially resided at the Westside YMCA for several months and then relocated to an apartment near La Guardia Airport. He occupied his leisure time by joyfully attending many Broadway plays admittance fee being $3 a play.
John was drafted in June 1944 into the Navy where he was a 3rd Class Radar Technician, traveling to Manila, Philippines, Saipan, Shanghai and Hawaii. After his Naval discharge in 1946, he returned to work at US Radium.
He moved to Albuquerque in the 1950's to pursue a job opportunity with ACF which was affiliated with the Atomic Energy Commission. Later ACF was acquired by General Electric. He continued his employment with General Electric working primarily on airplane engines until his retirement in the late 1980's.
John was struck by lightning while playing a round of golf on August 3rd, 1970. His friend, Frank Martinez performed the heroic measure of CPR and saved his life. After this event his alias was "Johnny Lightning".
Throughout his life, John remained a farm boy at heart, so following his retirement he found great pleasure in pursuing his interests in the horticultural field. He was passionate about gardening and always maintained an elaborate flower and vegetable garden at his mountain home in Echo Canyon that he loved to share with visiting family and friends. He was actively involved in the Albuquerque Garden Center, Master Gardeners Program, and the "La Noche", "Valley", and "Men's" Garden Clubs. He achieved 50 years of involvement with the American Dahlia Society and most recently with the New Mexico Dahlia Society. He was an active participant for numerous years at the New Mexico State Fair Flower Division.
He was very intellectually curious and always pursuing endeavors for his mind expansion. He fulfilled this curiosity through the Oasis Organization and Philosophers Anonymous which morphed into the Second Friday group where he organized speakers for the monthly meetings. He was also a member of the Society of American Material and Process Engineers (SAMPE).
John was on the advisory committee for the University of New Mexico Senior Health Clinic, and he was also a mentor to first year UNMH medical students. He was a hardcore Lady Lobo Basketball fan and never missed a game in 15 years. John's family wishes to express their immense gratitude to the medical staff at UNM Hospital for their amazing effort put forth to treat his medical issues. Additionally, his family wants to acknowledge and thank his extraordinary doctor, Dr. Carla Herman, for the profound support and guidance she provided.
On his personal business card, there was a picture of the "Duet Dahlia" stating "I plan on being here tomorrow." His physical presence may be gone but his Spirit lives on.
A Memorial Service to celebrate his remarkable life will be held Sunday, December 13, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at FRENCH - Lomas.
John had witnessed the complexities of the Multiple Sclerosis disease and the impact it has had on one of his loved ones. If you wish to honor John by making a memorial contribution, please go to the following website, http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/John_Hickerson.
He will be dearly missed by family and friends.
John was born November 16, 1920 in Vandalia, Missouri. He was lovingly raised on the family farm by his parents, John Kenneth and Naomi Hickerson. John had two brothers, Jim and Earl, both of whom preceded him in death.
He is survived by his children, Kathy (Shelley) Burt of Albuquerque, Karol (Mike) Rademacher of San Antonio, Texas, Ken (Shawna) Hickerson of Albuquerque, Kris (Bart) Henry of Arlington, Texas, Tony (Janis) Jenkins of Wills Point, Texas and Michelle Harris of Albuquerque.
He was blessed with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. He thought they were all Grand, because they were all very special to him
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Jane Hickerson, second wife, Margaret Hickerson and son, Bruce Jenkins.
John graduated from Vandalia High School in May of 1938 where he lettered in basketball, track, academics, music and drama. His employment in Vandalia consisted of working on the farm and in the brick factory.
He graduated from the University of Missouri at Columbia in February of 1943 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. His collegiate time consisted of a full academic schedule while working two to three jobs simultaneously. During his last semester at Mizzou, he worked with two gentlemen that he highly regarded on an army project pertaining to the development of runways in North Africa. This experience taught him how to conduct research studies.
Following graduation, John was employed by US Radium in New York City where his salary was $200/month. His first day of employment he received a $25 raise. Upon receiving his first paycheck, he went to Gimbels Department Store and invested in the $99 special, which included a suit, shirt, underwear, shoes, socks, tie, belt and overcoat. He initially resided at the Westside YMCA for several months and then relocated to an apartment near La Guardia Airport. He occupied his leisure time by joyfully attending many Broadway plays admittance fee being $3 a play.
John was drafted in June 1944 into the Navy where he was a 3rd Class Radar Technician, traveling to Manila, Philippines, Saipan, Shanghai and Hawaii. After his Naval discharge in 1946, he returned to work at US Radium.
He moved to Albuquerque in the 1950's to pursue a job opportunity with ACF which was affiliated with the Atomic Energy Commission. Later ACF was acquired by General Electric. He continued his employment with General Electric working primarily on airplane engines until his retirement in the late 1980's.
John was struck by lightning while playing a round of golf on August 3rd, 1970. His friend, Frank Martinez performed the heroic measure of CPR and saved his life. After this event his alias was "Johnny Lightning".
Throughout his life, John remained a farm boy at heart, so following his retirement he found great pleasure in pursuing his interests in the horticultural field. He was passionate about gardening and always maintained an elaborate flower and vegetable garden at his mountain home in Echo Canyon that he loved to share with visiting family and friends. He was actively involved in the Albuquerque Garden Center, Master Gardeners Program, and the "La Noche", "Valley", and "Men's" Garden Clubs. He achieved 50 years of involvement with the American Dahlia Society and most recently with the New Mexico Dahlia Society. He was an active participant for numerous years at the New Mexico State Fair Flower Division.
He was very intellectually curious and always pursuing endeavors for his mind expansion. He fulfilled this curiosity through the Oasis Organization and Philosophers Anonymous which morphed into the Second Friday group where he organized speakers for the monthly meetings. He was also a member of the Society of American Material and Process Engineers (SAMPE).
John was on the advisory committee for the University of New Mexico Senior Health Clinic, and he was also a mentor to first year UNMH medical students. He was a hardcore Lady Lobo Basketball fan and never missed a game in 15 years. John's family wishes to express their immense gratitude to the medical staff at UNM Hospital for their amazing effort put forth to treat his medical issues. Additionally, his family wants to acknowledge and thank his extraordinary doctor, Dr. Carla Herman, for the profound support and guidance she provided.
On his personal business card, there was a picture of the "Duet Dahlia" stating "I plan on being here tomorrow." His physical presence may be gone but his Spirit lives on.
A Memorial Service to celebrate his remarkable life will be held Sunday, December 13, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at FRENCH - Lomas.
John had witnessed the complexities of the Multiple Sclerosis disease and the impact it has had on one of his loved ones. If you wish to honor John by making a memorial contribution, please go to the following website, http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/John_Hickerson.
He will be dearly missed by family and friends.
Service Details
Sunday, December 13th, 2015, 2:00pm, FRENCH - Lomas
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