John Paul Hickey

John Paul Hickey of Carbondale, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend went to be with the Lord on Monday December 28, 2015 at his home surrounded by his loving family. John was born July 9, 1932 in Crane, Texas, “the capital of the universe,” son of Lila Estelle (Hartwell) and John P. Hickey, Sr. He married Linda Kay Ferguson on May 11, 1957 in Waco, Texas. They were united in marriage for 58 years. John graduated from Crane High School with Academic Honors in 1950. He lettered in Football (All-District), Basketball (All-District 1st Team 2 years) and Tennis (3 years). Active in Journalism, he wrote for his school paper and yearbook. He attended most high school reunions throughout his life. Arlington State College (Texas University Arlington) awarded John a basketball scholarship. He played 2 years of basketball and tennis for Arlington State before enlisting in the army in 1952 with his friend Ralph Lawson. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict at the rank of Sergeant as an Intelligence Analyst stationed in South Korea and Japan. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and the Korean Service Medal. After 3 years of service to his country, John was honorably discharged from the Army. He attended University of Texas and later graduated from North Texas State University in January 1957 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a double minor in history and government, earning him a lifetime teaching certificate. John was enthusiastic about many things in his life: his faith, his family, and all sports. In his youth, he earned rank of Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts. He coached basketball and played tennis all of his life. During retirement he played in 4 different tennis leagues in Gulf Breeze, Florida. John was employed in sales by Union Carbide Corporation for 15 years. During this time, the company moved John and Kay from Texas to Tennessee, Arkansas and Louisiana. Instead of leaving New Orleans a second time, John started his own business, a food brokerage company, Cossé-Hickey Company, Inc. (1972-1994). He made New Orleans his home for 25 years. John and Kay retired to Pensacola Beach Florida (1995-2005) where he embraced life as a beach bum, collecting shells and enjoying the spiritual aspect of nature on the beach. Hurricanes disrupted their retirement and hastened their move closer to family in Carbondale, Illinois. During his lifetime, John touched many lives with his strong faith. He began each day with prayer and reading scripture. He loved the Lord and was active in Church as a teacher and leader in Sunday school and Bible studies. John made dear and close friends throughout his life in the many places he lived. He maintained some special lifelong friendships with Jimmie Neal Stacy, Kenneth “Speck” Pierce and Ralph Lawson. Family was very important to John. He gathered his family annually for over 45 years on the 4th of July for a week on the beach, a tradition that is treasured to this day by his four generations of family. John is survived by his wife, Kay Ferguson Hickey; his daughter, Lisa Kay Johnson, her husband William of Raleigh, North Carolina and their three children: Michael Cary Johnson (Laura) of Olney, Maryland, Kay Elizabeth Rose and great-grandson, Parker Elias Rose of Ashburn, Virginia, and Leah Grace Johnson of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; his daughter, Cynthia Lynne Criswell and her daughter, Heather Lynne Criswell of Carbondale, Illinois; his daughter Paula Ferguson Golz of Carbondale, Illinois and her five children: Claire Alexandra Clark (Derek) and great-granddaughter Delaney Grace of San Antonio, Texas, Margaret Mary Golz of Golden, Colorado, Ginger Grace Golz of Tallahassee, Florida, Faith Elizabeth Golz and Scott Thomas Golz of Carbondale, Illinois; and his daughter Virginia “Ginger” Abide, her husband Gregory and their two sons John Ellis Abide and Jason Richard Abide of New Orleans, Louisiana; his sister, Helen Ruth Horne (Sylvan) of Gatesville, Texas. John is survived by many beloved brother/sister in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews; and three nieces that lived with Kay and John for a short while in New Orleans: Susan Jungling (Roger) of Abilene, Texas, Stephanie McIntyre of Austin, Texas, Sarah McIntyre Turner (Ted) of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. John was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Dorothy Maxine Perkins (Frank) of Athens, Texas, his brothers, Joe Thomas Hickey (Susan) of Houston, Texas and Robert Millard Hickey of Quinby, Virginia, and his infant son, Paul Wayne Hickey of Little Rock, Arkansas. Visitation will be Saturday, January 2, 2016 from Noon to 2:00 pm at the First Methodist Church in Carbondale. Funeral Services for John Paul Hickey will be Saturday, January 2, 2016 at 2:00 pm at the First Methodist Church in Carbondale with the Rev. Alan Rhein officiating. Memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church in Carbondale and/or a charity of the donor's choice and will be accepted at the services and/or funeral home. Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

John Paul Hickey

July 9, 1932 - December 28, 2015