Imogene Agnes Hickey Klare, 95, passed away October 5, 2024. Imogene was born October 21, 1928, in Kingsville, Texas to Estelle Valenta and Perry X. Hickey, Sr. She was baptized as an infant wearing the same baptismal dress her mother wore in 1905.
She moved to Alice, Texas with her parents and brothers, Perry X. Hickey Jr., and Dennis E. Hickey, in 1933. Another brother, Charles Lee Hickey followed in 1936.
Imogene started first grade in Alice and graduated from William Adams High School in 1946. She attended Texas A&I in Kingsville (soon to become A&M). Her college career was short lived as she had a job waiting at Alice Savings and Loan. Later she became an employee of Sunray Oil Company at their district office located in Alice.
She met the one and only love of her life, Clinton Klare, on the dance floor at the Rifle Club in Orange Grove, Texas. Guess what? He was the best dancer on the floor. Soon after, they were married on October 23, 1948, at the St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Alice. While they were residing in Orange Grove, they welcomed their first child, Michael Wayne, a special needs child, on June 2, 1951. Michael was blessed to be the first child baptized in the new St. John of the Cross Catholic Church in Orange Grove, June 10, 1951.
In 1952, the family moved to Alice where Clinton was made manager of Temple Lumber Company. While residing in Alice, Rebecca Ann was welcomed into the family in 1954, with Ronald Joseph to follow in 1955. Jeffrey Lynn arrived in 1960 to complete the family. This definitely made Imogene a stay-at-home mom.
Then in 1963, the family packed up and moved to Victoria, where Clinton once again became manager of Temple Lumber Company. Shortly after, Temple sold all their properties, so Clinton together with two partners bought the lumber yard and renamed it to Texas Lumber Company.
Imogene loved being outside, so she took care of her yard. For a change of pace, she tried bowling (was lousy at it), so reading, crossword puzzles and sewing took most of her time.
Clinton, being a wonderful dancer, they joined every dance club in town. They both were active members of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, where Imogene was active in the Altar Society. She also volunteered at V-Cam, Community Theater and became a lifelong member of Citizens Hospital Auxiliary.
After Clinton’s death in 1988, Imogene began traveling, mostly with First Victoria National Travel group. Some memorable trips where Hawaii, Alaska several times, also Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and last but not least the Panama Canal in 2014 (her last trip due to health issues)
Besides the travels with First Victoria National, Imogene and her three brothers, together with their wives, did two cruises and never to be forgotten, a train trip from San Antonio to Niagara Falls. She also had some wonderful trips with her five cousins. Travel was the name of the game. Every trip was better than the last!
Imogene is preceded in death by her parents; the love of her life, Clinton (after 40 years of marriage); her daughter, Rebecca Ann Klare; sons, Michael Wayne Klare (who actually died on her birthday, October 2021; son, Ronald Kare; brothers, Dennis and Charles Hickey; sister-in-laws, Tommie Hickey and Jeannie Hickey and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dave and Vivian Williamson.
Imogene is survived by her son, Jeffrey Klare (Kathy); brother, Perry X. Hickey Jr.; grandchildren, Travis Klare (Melissa), Caitlin Klare Willingham (Mark), Justin Klare (Chelsea), Clinton Klare, Lacey Buchorn (Bryan)and great-grandchildren, Asher, Asa and Ezra Willingham, Tenley Klare, Faith Klare, Kason Klare, Jaycee Buchorn and Cody Klare
