Larry Dean Hickman

Services for Larry Dean Hickman, 81, of Tyler, will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 12:30 PM at Marvin United Methodist Church with Dr. Doug Baker officiating. A private burial will be at Gladewater Memorial Park Cemetery in Big Sandy. Visitation is scheduled from 6:00 - 8:00 PM on Friday, February 17, 2017 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to East Texas Food Bank, Marvin United Methodist Church or East Texas Crisis Center. Mr. Hickman passed away Friday, February 10, 2017 in Tyler. Larry Hickman was born in Spring Hill, TX on October 10, 1935 to O. B. and Mattie Jane Hickman. The youngest of four boys, he grew up in a loving home that emphasized personal integrity, personal responsibility, and service. His father served as a Lay-Music Minister for many years, and music was a mainstay in the Hickman home. Larry performed his first solo at the age of five in a small East Texas Baptist Church and at twelve performed his first of countless wedding solos. He performed in a gospel quartet with his brothers all throughout his youth. His love of music never dimmed, and he sang for churches, banquets, weddings and theater productions until his time on earth was done. Following graduation from Kilgore High School in 1955 Larry attended Baylor University on a football scholarship where he majored in Business with a minor in Vocal Performance. While at Baylor he married the love of his life, Shirley Winn of Gladewater. After graduating from Baylor he played professional football for five years before joining Texas Power & Light (later TU Electric). He worked for TU Electric in numerous cities and positions over the next twenty-nine years including nine years in Waco, Texas as Assistant District Manager and then four years as District Manager in Denison, Texas. In 1980 Larry was named as the Tyler District Manager for TU Electric, a post he held until he retired in 1993. Larry and Shirley chose to remain in Tyler following his retirement. Larry and Shirley have been active members of Marvin United Methodist Church for the past 35 years. He was always active in the community, and he served as a board member or officer of many organizations including Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, East Texas Food Bank, East Texas Fair Association, Tyler YMCA, the United Way of Greater Tyler, East Texas Crisis Center, Crimestoppers, American Heart Association, Hospice of East Texas, Tyler Mayor's Anti-Crime Task Force, Junior Achievement, Texas Society to Prevent Blindness, Better Business Bureau, Rotary Club, Texas Chest Foundation, and the University of Texas at Tyler Health Center. He was a phenomenal athlete. His honors, awards and records are too numerous to list but highlights include two years All State Fullback, All South and All American High School Fullback, State Track Meet in shot put and discus three years, guard on basketball team that won third in the State, All State Choir, Southwest Conference Freshman MVP, regional Golden Gloves Heavyweight Boxing Championship in 1955, All Southwest Conference, starting Fullback for the College All Star game, Outstanding Athlete at Baylor University in 1957, played in the NFL Championships game with the Green Bay Packers under Coach Vince Lombardi in 1960, played in the Canadian Football League Championship Game (Gray Cup) in 1961, Baylor Athletic Hall of Fame, Kilgore High School Wall of Honor. He was a loyal and deeply loved friend in addition to being a beloved husband and father. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, O. B. and Mattie Jane Waller Hickman, and three brothers, John, Warner and Waller Hickman. He is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Shirley, their daughter, Lesa McCoy of Katy, TX, their son and daughter-in-law Winn and Marilea Hickman of Arlington, TX, five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Larry Dean Hickman

October 10, 1935 - February 10, 2017