Selden Hickenlooper

Memorial services to celebrate the life of Selden Blakemore Hickenlooper, 86, Tyler, will be held 2:00 P. M., Wednesday, May 18, 2005, at Stewart Family Funeral Home Chapel, 7525 Old Jacksonville Hwy., south Tyler with Brother Lou Thomas officiating. Burial will be in Las Vegas, Nevada at a later date. Mr. Hickenlooper passed away after living a full life Wednesday, May 11, 2005 in Tyler. He was born to George Centennial and Amy Preston Hickenlooper on April 23, 1919 near Miles City, Montana. Raised on a farm close to Blockton, Iowa, he graduated from high school in 1936 during the devastation of the depression and drought. In 1939 he migrated as many of the unemployed did to Los Angeles, California where he was employed by Vultee Aircraft , maker of the BT-13. Later he was allowed to relocate from California to Omaha, Nebraska and Offcut Air Force Base to work on the Martin B-26 and be close to his mother who was struck with cancer. Watching the air craft take to the air every day created a desire to fly these beasts of burden. He joined the ranks of the Aviation Cadets and was called to duty on January 2, 1943 assigned to the San Antonio Aviation Classification Center. There he was designated to be a pilot, class 43-K. During his training, he had a run of illnesses including scarlet fever, Appendicitis, and pneumonia. Enduring the illness, he completed flight training and graduated from twin engine advanced at Lubbock, Texas as a 2nd Lt. on April 15, 1944. He received his Commission at 10:00 a.m., his wings at 11:00 a.m., and a wife at 12:00 p.m. He was sent to Japan with the occupation forces flying C-47s and C-46s until December 1949. Then in Korea, he was assigned to 18th Fighter Bomber Wing, 12th Fighter Bomber Squadron known as "THE FOXEY FEW", where he flew the P-51 for 72 missions. He then went on to K-14 at Seoul and the 45th Tac. Recon. Squadron where he flew the F-86, the F-51, and the F-80 for an additional 28 missions totaling 100 missions. He was awarded one Air Medal with an Oak Leaf Cluster and the Distinguished Flying Cross. After combat he became an air to air and air to ground combat instructor at Laughlin Air Force Base. He was released from active duty on October 15, 1953 as part of the military downsize after the Korean conflict. He and his wife moved to Las Vegas, Nevada and reported to Nellis Air Force Base where he would have the chance to fly the F-86, the F-80, and the T-33. He was assigned to Smiley Burnett's Thunderbird training squadron for 2 years before he retired from the USAFR in 1958. He attended the University of Las Vegas and graduated in 1967 at the age of 47 with a double major in Mathematics and Economics. He taught at Garside Junior High School for fifteen years while earning a Masters Degree in Real Estate Development. He then taught at Valley High School for 5 years. He then bought, sold, and resold burn-out and damaged houses as a Real Estate Broker until he retired in 1988. In 1990 he joined the Civil Air Patrol in Tyler, Texas as a Major. He served as Finance Officer of the Longview Squadron for 3 years, and Group 7 Civil Air Patrol Aerospace Education Officer. He later attended Staff and Command College at Albuquerque, New Mexico and became a Lt. Col. As a member of Sharon Shrine Temple, Quiet Birdman (Pilots) Association, Royal Order of Jesters Court #168, Eastern Star Masonic Lodge #1233, and Lanes Chapel United Methodist Church, he will be remembered as a dedicated servant to country and community. His family will remember him as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 54 years, Jeanette Hickenlooper in 1999. His surviving family includes his wife of 6 years, Yvonne Hickenlooper of Tyler; daughter, Sherri Oliver and husband, Reece, of Valley Springs, California.; grandson, David Oliver and great-grandson, Zachary Oliver. Memorials in honor of Mr. Hickenlooper's life may be made to Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children, 3100 Samford Avenue, Shreveport, Lousiana 71103.

Selden Hickenlooper

April 23, 1919 - May 11, 2005