I first met Tom when I was working at Allstate Appraisal. He always had a smile and it was very apparent from the beginning that he loved two things; his family and his cigars. His personality made the days more enjoyable and he was one of the good people. I wasn't at Allstate at the time of his passing so I didn't find out it until recently. It's harder on the ones left behind but I know that I'll see him again when we are all together again. I'll just follow the sound of laughter and the smell of cigar smoke!

I'm sorry for your loss. May God comfort and strengthen the family during this difficult time.

My Dad,
 How can I even put into words what an amazing man he was. He was always there no matter what from softball, volleyball or basketball games to driving me around wherever I needed to go, to walking me down the aisle to my husband. I know everyone says they have the best parents but I really do they have showed me what true love is and that giving up is never an option. I am so lucky that I had the most amazing Dad with me here for almost 32 years, now heaven gets to have him. I know grandma, grandpa, Uncle Jim and Uncle Bill were waiting there for you with open arms. I miss you so much and love you I know you're with me forever sipping on a diet coke and smoking your cigar I love you Dad!

We are so sorry to hear about Tom's passing. We lived across the street many years ago and our children played together. We know he will be missed by family and friends. He was a very kind man. Our hearts and prayers go out to Marge and the family.
                                              Sandy and John VanMersbergen

MY Uncle Tom-
      So many stories , laughs and truly funny times . I have so many memories ! When our family moved to Dallas , I remember Tom coming down for a visit. He really wanted to go see the Kennedy Memorial at Dealy plaza . After waiting in line awhile , he grew a little restless. A group of Asian tourists on a large bus were ushered in the museum. Tom didn't want to wait any longer , slouched down  and  got in line with the group, saying " I'm with them!" We laughed until we were crying!
     Whether it was him saying " the tables are turned " , rotating the actual table we were all conversing at , bragging about his golf game, ( his best wood was his pencil behind his ear when he kept score) his Bickham sausage stories or his softball stories,   he was more like a older brother when I was younger , being as  he was only 10 yrs older than me .  I looked up to him, and loved him dearly . Our family had a huge void - but will always fondly remembered . Thanks for giving us all so many great laughs ! LOVED AND NEVER FORGOTTEN!!
Anne Bickham- Cunningham

Dear Jack, we are very sorry to hear about your brother Tom passing.  Please accept our deepest sympathy for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  Take care, Vince and Jude Evans

Tom And I were cubicle friends at Allstate Appraisal.  I learned much from Tom with his vast amount of real estate appraisal experience and good sense of humor.  He will be missed, but never forgotten.  My sympathy to his wife Margaret and family.  May God give you all the strength to get through these difficult times.

Jack sorry to hear about the loss of your brother.  Bill Reidy 001

Dear Jack,

Please accept my sincerest condolences on the death of your dear brother, Tom.  I'm sure he was a great guy like his brother, Jack.

Tom Rennie

Dear Jack, My condolences on the passing of your brother Tom. So sorry to have missed the wake, but know my prayers are with Tom and your family.

Tom was a great person I had the pleasure of working with him at Allstate Appraisal. My prayers with the family.
Norlene Bolton

Tom was my 'Buddy' at work and we covered each other while busy or away. Although I worked remote from him and didn't spend every day together I have such a great respect for him. We made each other laugh. You know when you encounter a good man and this was Tom. With heartfelt condolences to his family, we will miss him so. Lori Antczak

I will always remember Uncle Tom for his great sense of humor, sausage making skills, and being unable to correct my crappy golf swing even though he tried so hard every time I golfed with him.   It wasn't for a lack of trying on Tom's part; I'm just terrible at golf.  

Ever since high school, he always generously opened up his house to me as part of the Bickham family, even when I stopped by unannounced the week of Thanksgiving this year.  Tom was having a bad day that day, but he still graciously welcomed me in to see him.  I'm forever grateful for that last visit.

June 17th 2009 -  Wrigleyville, Chicago, Illinois.   Chicago Cubs vs. Chicago White Sox.  As always, the Sox contingency was Jack, Bob, and Joey and the Cubs contingency was Tom, Mike and myself.  Tom made me laugh the minute I saw him that day as he chose to wear a neon orange Bears hat that looked like he was going hunting instead of  to a baseball game.  Unfortunately, Mike took the picture so he isn't in it.  According to Tom, the wrong team won 4-1 that day.

I truly join all of my extended Bickham family  (especially Mom, Beth, Erin & Tommy) in sorrow. In having known Tom for almost 30 years, I know we all lost the MVP of our team.  You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

With Deepest Sympathy, 

Love,

Phil Bickham (aka Schmidt)

Tom was someone who would light up any room he entered with his larger than life personality. During my time working with Tom I got to know the wonderful man he was ( and not to mention practical joker who always had me laughing ). My condolences go out to Tom's family and loved ones! Tom will never be forgotten!

Tom will be missed. I worked with him and his wittiness was what helped my day pass with a few laughs. Truly a great person. RIP
Jessica Richie (Chicago Heights)

My condolences to the Bickham family during this difficult time.
Brian Alper

Marge, I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Tom in Mokena for a few years and we bonded as friends because of being born the same year and kidding the 'young ones' of our group about events in life they would know nothing about. Tom would speak of you and your family with love and laughter.  My prayers for you that in this dark time you may find some kind of peace. I will always remember his fun loving attitude towards life.

My deepest condolences to the whole family. I only had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Bickham a few times, but he lived up to all the great things I heard about him. A testament to him as a man is just how great all his kids are.

godspeed tom you are up there riding the heavens now

Margie... I am so sorry about Tom. Please accept my sincere condolences, I will keep you and your family including the Bickhams in my prayers.. What a great Tommy More guy !!!  Mary Beth Dougherty-Rotkovich

I am so sorry to hear about Tom's passing.

I have known the Bickham family for 26 years.

The one thing I missed most when I moved out of
Evergreen Park were my wonderful neighbors.

I was so happy to be at their Daughter Erin's wedding.

They whole Bickham Family will be in my prayers.

God Bless All of You!

Maureen A Rodriguez

Uncle Tom had a gift for making everyone smile.  He taught me to always keep my sense of humor.  I will miss his stories, especially at Christmastime. My favorite memory of him has to be Mac the Knife at my parents' anniversary party!  Thank you for making the world a happier place for me and my girls.

So sorry for your loss. Such a great man and neighbor who drove us to St. Bernadette every day and made us laugh the whole way there! I know my dad loved his talks over the fence every day. Love and prayers to Mrs. Bickham, Beth, and Erin. God bless you all.

My sincerest and deepest sympathy to you Marge and to your children. May you find peace and comfort in remembering the love you shared together and all the wonderful memories you have from your many years of marriage.

Rosemary (Marguerite's sister)

Trying to sum up Uncle Tom, or my experiences or feelings about Uncle Tom in a couple sentences is truly the most difficult task I've ever been challenged with.  It can't be done, but I'll do my best.  He was a funny, kind, loving, generous man.  He loved his family, he was the heart of our entire Bickham family.  Uncle Tom was the kind of man I always aspired to be like.  A true family man, who was friends with everybody.  Always the life of the party.  One of the most honest men I ever met.

I will always think of him when I use my Slap Chop.  I will never forget the millions of laughs we had during Bickham Sausage or how full my heart (and belly) always felt going over the 2624 every Thanksgiving.  I'll always cherish the time I was privileged to spend with him the night of Erin and Joe's wedding (even if it was 4:30 in the morning).  And until the day I am having a beer and cigar with him again, I will always remember that last fist punch he gave me when I told him my girl's basketball team finished the season undefeated.

We lost one of the best, but his spirit and memory will forever live on.  You indeed are the man!

Sending my deepest condolences!! I did not know him very well but every time I did see him it was evident how much he loved his family and his family loved him. He will be carried on through all of you. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. 
-Amy (Seener)

Sometimes life doesn't seem to be fair, and this is one of those times. You could always tell that he really loved his kids, and they all loved him right back. Marge, Beth, Erin, and Tom, I just wish I had known him better. May he rest in peace.

I am so very sorry for your loss.  Mr. Bickham was a wonderful man and I will always remember his sense of humor.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.

OBITUARY

Thomas Joseph Bickham

October 27, 1952 – December 7, 2015

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