Joseph Charles Ficklin passed away from pancreatic cancer on the 11th day of May 2021. Joe was born on the 24th day of November 1948 to Charles Luther Ficklin and Doris Ruth Ficklin. Joe was preceded in death by his father Charles Luther Ficklin, of Jacksonville, Texas, and nephews Brian Bouvier and Kendall Maddox.
Joe is survived by his wife of 29 years, Blee Corine Ficklin (Mitchell), his mother Doris Ficklin, his son Troy and his partner Laura Millard, his stepdaughters, Shannon Perry and Shawn Perry, his sister Luanne and her husband Dave Bouvier, sister Linda and her husband Winston Battarbee, sister Lorrie and her husband Scott Maddox, his first wife, Kay Ficklin, granddaughter Krystal Abdenur and grandson Ethan Wilson and his wife, Melyssa, and greatgranddaughters, Shelby and Chevelle Abdenur and Sayde, Judith and greatgrandson Robert Wilson, and by many other extended family members and friends.
Though Joe was born in Denver, he spent most of his childhood in Liberal, Kansas, where his father worked for Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Corporation. Joe’s family moved to Overland Park, Kansas when Joe was sixteen and entering his senior year. Joe graduated from Shawnee Mission West High School in Overland Park, Kansas in 1967. Upon graduation, he attended Kansas State College of Pittsburg, later renamed Pittsburg State University, in Pittsburg, Kansas where he was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity and graduated from Kansas State College with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in 1971. Joe and Kay were married while attending college and moved to Houston, Texas after graduating.
Joe joined the Army National Guard while attending college in 1970 and continued his service in Houston, Texas, proudly serving for six years. He enjoyed his service and contemplated remaining, but having a child and building a career helped him in his decision to be discharged from service.
While Joe worked for others in his career in marketing and sales, his longest tenure was with Rectorseal Corporation as Regional Sales Manager where he developed many friendships not only with his co-workers, but with his many representatives around the country with whom he worked. Joe received several awards while with Rectorseal and was proud of his accomplishments. He traveled across the country and while he enjoyed seeing new places and meeting new people, in 2014 Joe retired to enjoy his time with Blee and family.
Joe and Blee met the summer of 1986 and were married March 28, 1992 in Houston, Texas. They built a wonderful life together enjoying playing golf, attending baseball games, family gatherings and spending time in Colorado, where they enjoyed hiking in the Rocky Mountains. Joe was also very happy when he became a great-grandfather to his five great-grandchildren and thoroughly enjoyed being around them.
Friends are cordially invited to a celebration of Joe’s life on May 25, 2021, at 1:00 pm at Earthman’s Funeral Home, 8303 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77024. Attendees are requested to dress casually in your favorite Astros and or Hawaiian attire.
In lieu of usual remembrances, contributions in memory of Joseph C. Ficklin may be directed to Heavenly Angels House, P. O. Box 452414, Grove, Oklahoma 74345, or to a cause of your choice.
