David John Hickey

1944 - 2023

David John Hickey, age 79, lost his hard-fought battle with cancer and went to be with his Lord on October 17, 2023. Son of John D. Hickey and Frances Pauline (Secrist)Hickey, David was born in Washington, D.C. on January 23, 1944.

David grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland and graduated from Northwood High School in 1962. He enrolled in Troy (Alabama) State College in the fall of that same year where he played varsity baseball and was a member of Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity. Graduating in 1966, David began his long and successful career in education and coaching.

David Hickey, affectionately called "Coach" or "Hick" by many, loved his family and loved working with students. He could be hard and stern on the outside, but soft as a marshmallow on the inside. His goal in life was to make a difference in the lives of the people he met through his life's journey, particularly young people.

David began his teaching and coaching career in Newnan, Georgia, in 1966. He taught and coached football and baseball in Donalsonville, Georgia, (1966-1972) before moving to Crystal River, Florida, in 1972 where he continued his career as teacher and coach at Crystal River High School. While at CRHS, he served as English teacher, physical education teacher, assistant football coach, head baseball coach, head football coach, Dean of Students, and Assistant Principal. He transferred to Crystal River Middle School as Principal and was instrumental in the remodel of that school. After serving as assistant Superintendent of Citrus County Schools for a short time, he then returned to CRMS, after which he was elected Superintendent of Citrus County Schools, serving in that position from 2000 to 2004, until his retirement in 2004.

David met his wife, Beverly, while both were attending Troy State College and they married on June 1, 1968. They had two children, Mark (deceased) and Elizabeth Ann "Beth" (deceased).

David is survived by his wife Beverly (Gilbert) Hickey of Crystal River, sister Elizabeth Williams of Gastonia, NC, daughter in law, Erica (Ullum) Hickey of Jacksonville, Florida, grandchildren, Nathan, Drew, and Lauren, nephews Wayne McCullen, Bob McCullen, Jr., niece, Paige Dickinson, brother-in-law, Tommy Gilbert and sister-in-law Carole Gilbert as well as several grandnieces and grandnephews.

The family will receive visitors from 9:00AM-10:00AM with a homecoming celebration beginning at 10:00AM on October 27, 2023, at Brown Funeral Home & Crematory in Lecanto. Graveside services will follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Beverly Hills.