Obituary of Thomas Richard Hickerson

Funeral service was conducted Sunday afternoon May 6, 2018 at 2:00 PM at the Taylor Funeral Home Dickson, Tennessee.  Place of rest will be in the Rock Church Cemetery.  Visitation was held on Saturday, May 5, 2018 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Taylor Funeral Home.

 

Thomas Richard “Tom” Hickerson of The Villages, Florida passed away, on April 29, 2018. 

 

Tom was born June 1, 1941 in White Bluff, Tennessee, a son of the late John Melvin Hickerson and Winifred Aline Petty Hickerson.  He was a Veteran of the United States Navy having served our country from 1959 until 1967.  He retired from the FAA as an Air Traffic Controller.  He was generous with his time, giving years of volunteer service to the Island Fire Department in Savannah, Georgia.  Later he served as Director of Rancho Santa Fe Fire Department in San Diego, California.  Tom served as President of the Master Board Association from 2001-2014 with 4S Ranch Association, Inc.  June 1^st was declared Tom Hickerson Day in honor of his service.

 

Tom loved his work within the aviation industry.  In addition to being an Air Traffic Controller for the FAA he held his private pilot’s license and was instrument rated.  While in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, he served as FAA Academy Instructor for four years.  Tom found great joy in being a licensed boat captain during the years he lived in Seattle, Washington.

 

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister Barbara Blanks.

 

Tom is survived by his wife Jan Hickerson whom he married in 1977; son Richard (Heather) Keith Hickerson; daughters Lori (Aaron) Sullivan, and Angie (Kirk Malone) Taylor; grandchildren Nick Sullivan, Shelby Hickerson and Sloan Hickerson.

 

He was an avid animal lover who rescued 30+ Pugs.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests Tom be honored with your donation to Central Florida Pug Rescue, Inc., P. O. Box  953744, Lake Mary, Florida 32795, cfppugs@yahoo.com or 407-756-4998.

 

Arrangements entrusted with HIERS-BAXLEY Funeral & Cremation Life Event Center, 3975 Wedgewood Lane, The Villages, FL 32162.  Sentiments may be left online at www.hiers-baxley.com.