Charles Buchanan "Charlie" Hickcox II

Charles "Charlie" Buchanan Hickcox II Charles "Charlie" Buchanan Hickcox II, died peacefully at his home in San Diego on June 14, 2010 of cancer at the age of 63. Charlie, a native of Phoenix, Arizona, was an Olympic Swimming Champion in the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City winning three gold medals in the 200-meter individual medley, 400-meter individual medley and the 4x100 medley relay, as well as a silver medal in the 100 meter backstroke; he was also named Athlete of the 1968 Olympic Games. Other swimming accomplishments included leading Indiana University to two NCAA Championships, capturing seven NCAA individual championships, two gold medals at the Pan-American games and setting eight world records. Charlie was also admitted to the International Swimming Hall of Fame, Indiana University Sports Hall of Fame, as well as the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame. Sports Illustrated also ranked Charlie as one of the greatest 20th century athletes to come out of Arizona in its 50th Anniversary issue. After graduating from Indiana University, Charlie continued his education and graduated from Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky State University. Returning to Phoenix, Charlie successfully pursued a career in commercial real estate development. His career included a variety of positions including heading the Scottsdale-based real estate investment and development firm, The Feldman-Hickcox Company. He was also a member of the Arizona Bar Association. Throughout his life, he generously volunteered his time by visiting schools, youth groups, juvenile detention centers and prisons to share his story and "encourage others to rise to their potential, make the right choices in life, and reinforced that everyone has an opportunity for a second chance." Charlie was a kind, loving and humble man with a very big heart. He had an enormous faith in God and was blessed with such character, honesty, dignity and grace. He will be missed as surely as he will be remembered. He is survived by his beloved wife of seven years, Kathy; proud father of Kristen Hickcox (Marc Welborn), Erin Hickcox, Michelle Sedgwick (Joe), Hayley Hickcox, Sharly Borer (Ryan), Charles B. Hickcox, III (Randelle) and step daughter Elizabeth Ballew; nine grandchildren; his father, J. Cole Hickcox; siblings John Hickcox (Myrna), Mary Sue Magura (Jack), Tom Hickcox, Martha Wyatt (Bill); nieces and nephews Jay Hickcox, Katie, Stratton and Cole Hickcox, Elizabeth and Emma Magura and Bill and Holley Wyatt, as well as a host of other relatives and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his loving mother, Mary Jane (Sharty) Hickcox. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 10th at East Valley Bible Church, 1820W. Elloit Road, Gilbert, Arizona at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to cancer research at the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center on behalf of Dr. Lawrence Einhorn's Research Center. Memorial gifts can be made "In memory of Charlie Hickcox" and payable to "IUF/Hem-Onc Gifts" and mailed to IU Simon Cancer Center, PO Box 660245, Indianapolis, IN 46266.

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