Bob Hickey

Bobby Joe Hickey, was born December 22, 1928 and passed away December 18, 2018. He was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, came to live in the San Joaquin Valley - Hanford at six months of age. His father and mother, Jessie and Thomas Hickey, made the decision to leave the Dust Bowl and strive for a better life with Bob and his older brother, Delton. They came with few belongings - but with hope and dream and determination they found their new home at 18999 8th Avenue and were able to purchase some land and start over.

Bob grew up learning to farm - the family lived off their crops and eventually bought adjoining land. Bob attended Lakeside Elementary School and graduated from Hanford High School. During high school he met and fell in love with Loretta Spanke. They were married February 4, 1950. Bob and Loretta raised their four daughters the same way Bob had been raised - rising early before light, getting chores done before going to school and after returning from school taking care of the end of day chores. Bob loved farming. Bob also took on a job at Armstrong Rubber Company where he worked for twenty years as a foreman. When he was not at Armstrong he was tending to his farm, Loretta always at his side also managing the farm along with their four daughters.

Bob had many friends and in his younger years was known as a particularly "adventurous sport," rode his Harley, enjoyed "ole Betsy" his hot rod. Pictures from the past show a handsome young man, t-shirt sleeves rolled up in a "James Dean" look leaning against his hot rod laughing with his buddies.

Bob and Loretta sold their farm in 1971 and moved into town (Hanford.) After retiring from Armstrong Bob pursued some of his other interests - building a houseboat which he spent many days and nights on. Fishing had always been one of his favorite sports. He also enjoyed deer hunting making many trips to Northern California with friends. Bob and Loretta also remodeled a 1930 Model A Ford to new condition and spent time attending antique car shows where the Model A won many rewards.

In Bob's later years he thoroughly enjoyed tending to the garden that he planted at daughter Brenda's . He went out to the garden twice a week to weed and water and watch his plants grow. He always had such a bountiful crop that he donated much of it to the soup kitchen. He was also a lifelong fan of the Dodgers, rarely missing a game.

Bob was more reserved and quiet in his later years, took care of his business and was always there if anyone needed a hand. He was never a selfish man.

His legacy lives on in his family. Surviving Bob are his spouse Loretta Marie Hickey, daughter Linda Johnson and husband Emmett, daughter Brenda Church, daughter Denise Haughton and husband Gerald, daughter Sandra Young and husband Gordon. His grandchildren and their spouses, Mark and Ami Johnson, Clinton and Tammy Church, Jason and Renee Nagel, Curtis and Donna Marshall, Ben and Sueann Young, Andrew and Jenna Young. Great-Grandchildren, Blake and Ashlee Johnson, Bryce and Kylie Nagel, Caleb Church, Aryanah and Samantha Marshall, Matthew, Isaac and Josiah Young. Sister and brother-in-law Jim and Jean Chavis.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, brother Delton and son-in-law Don Church.

Donations in Bob's name can be made to the charity of your choice.

Service will be held on Thursday, December 27, 2018 at 10:30 am at People's Funeral Chapel in Hanford, CA. Burial will be held privately.