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John D. Hickman

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Lincoln High School Marshall University Ohio State University

FUNERAL HOME

Schoedinger Margarum Northeast

1051 E Johnstown Road

Gahanna, Ohio

John Hickman Obituary

Name: Visitation for John D. Hickman
Start: 2015-01-11T22:00:00.000Z
End: 2015-01-12T01:00:00.000Z
Location: Schoedinger Margarum Northeast

Hickman John D. Hickman, age 82, died January 8, 2015. He was born in Renrock in rural Ohio and was very proud of his Noble County heritage. He played football for Caldwell High School. In 1952 he joined the US Navy and served his country aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Bennington during the Korean War. He graduated from The Ohio State University and received a master's degree from Marshall University in physical education. He was a legend in the Gahanna school district, involved for over 45 years in athletics and 30 years teaching fulltime. In his honor, the Gahanna Lincoln High School home locker room was named after him. He was a devoted track official heavily involved for over 50 years and officiated track events all over the country, including middle school meets, the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and everything in between. He loved Ohio State sports, especially football, and he didn't miss a home game from 1958 until 2001.The rescheduling of an OSU game after the 9/11 terrorist attacks conflicted with a date he had committed to officiate a track meet, and true to his character, John kept his commitment. He knew someone everywhere he went. It wasn't possible to go somewhere with him and not hear "Hey, aren't you John Hickman?" John was "a tough old bird" and a cancer survivor, but at 82 he wasn't able to bounce back from a series of injuries and complications following surgery. John is survived by his loving wife, Janet; three children, John "Woody" (Melissa) Hickman, Holly (Bill) Heer, and Matt (Angela) Gephart; and five grandchildren, Susie and Alexander Heer, Ellie and John "Nat" Hickman, and Everly Gephart. He was predeceased by his brother Donald Hickman and his sister Joanne Hickman. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Sunday and 2-4 p.m. Monday at the SCHOEDINGER NORTHEAST CHAPEL, 1051 E. Johnstown Rd., where a funeral service will be held Monday January 12, 2015 at 4 p.m.. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Gahanna Lincoln Athletic Hall of Fame, where a scholarship for a deserving Gahanna Lincoln High School student is being set up in John's memory. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share a memory of John.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Columbus Dispatch from Jan. 9 to Jan. 11, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for John Hickman

Sponsored by The Nelsons.

50 Entries

Nick and Aaron Nelson

August 12, 2016

Deepest regrets for an amazing man that we will never forget. We only met him once but he was sweet and caring. He took us both fishing next to his house. I remember the fish were biting like crazy and there was no stopping of it. He wouldn't let us keep any of the fish to eat because he told us his secret for the fishing spot was because it was next to the sewage. He took us both canoeing as well. It was my first time and I remember fish swimming up so close to the canoe that you could touch them. This great man also took us to Cedar Point. My brother Aaron won a giant stuffed Rottweiler and we didn't know how we'd get it back home to Montana so he graciously gave us a suitcase and he flattened the dog so much that it was able to fit in it. He will always have a special place in our hearts

Gene Brugger

January 19, 2015

I have a clear memory of Coach Hickman welcoming me to the football team when I arrived (in my Senior year) at Gahanna, from New York. He was encouraging and supportive, exactly what I needed at the time, and was a great coach and man. Thank you, and comfort to his grieving family. He left a legacy of memories to so many young athletes.

January 18, 2015

My thoughts are with Coach Hickman's family. He was a fine man and Coach and I have such fond memories of my four years with him and those hot July and August "two a days", competitive hard practices and then the games where he prepped us right. It was great boyhood fun but he seemed to make it more fun

January 13, 2015

If anyone asked about or talked about Gahanna Lincoln High School, John Hickmans name would be one of the first words mentioned. John was at every GLHS sporting events. He truely touched the lives of everyone he came into contact with, including myself.John was one of the reasons I became a teacher and coach.My thoughts and prayers go out to the Hickman family.
Bob Vandiver
Grants, New Mexico
GLHS Class of 1978

January 13, 2015

I found out late about his passing while watching Ohio State win the National Championship, a little ironic. His footprint that he has put on the young peoples lives in Gahanna is unfathomable. He will truly be missed.

Jim Fodor

January 12, 2015

My prayers and condolences to John's family and generations of friends. A great man that led by example and showed many the pursuit of a true mentor. You will be missed ... RIP my friend ...
The Fodor Family .... Jim Fodor

Rusty Garner

January 12, 2015

fire-rainbow
Many blessing to family and all.
He was my 7th grade teacher, we
will miss him.
One of the best....

January 12, 2015

To Janet & Hickman Clan - Unable to make the services for "Herman", but my thoughts, memories & best wishes are and will always be with you. Bruce Gill (Caldwell, Ohio & the gang at 125 W. 10th St. where we lived during our school days at The OSU.

Tracy Hicks

January 12, 2015

To the Family,
Thoughts and prayers go out to you. John's track officiating service he provided to the middle school and high school track athletes with Columbus City Schools over the years can compare to none! John will be truly missed! I will miss my yearly talks with him. Job well done John!!! Thank you!

January 12, 2015

A true Gahanna legend & true Gahanna sports historian! Always brightened my day with a sports story from days gone by...we will always remember John Hickman!

January 11, 2015

So sorry I have to miss the services to honor this amazing and inspirational man! God bless you John, you will truly be missed.
- Karen Hood Gallo

Jen VanHorssen

January 11, 2015

Mr.Hickman was a life force for Gahanna schools. He mentored thousands of teenagers over his lifetime. His legacy will live on through the lives of all the people he impacted. His love and dedication to the students, athletes, and staff of Gahanna will be in the hearts of all those lucky enough to have known this great man.

Sam & Linda Gomer

January 11, 2015

John was a great person, great official, and a great friend. He will be greatly missed.

January 11, 2015

John was the best at everything no matter what it was. He brought so much to everyone's lives in being just him. You could talk to him about anything and he always had good stories to tell and a memory that went forever. For all of us who had John Hickman in our lives we're truly blessed. RIP John you will be missed but never forgotton and prayers to your family Jackie & Gary Brandon Gahanna Class of 1969& 1972.

Mike Lanza

January 10, 2015

A truly great man. Gahanna's number one supporter, no matter what sport. Great person for the young men to have when they needed someone to talk to about ANYTHING. Provided tremendous emotional support and insight to countless individuals through the years. Will be greatly missed and never replaced.

Andrew Johnson

January 10, 2015

Mr John d Hickman was a wonderful friend and teacher mentor icon a great coach and he always had a great sense of humor Glhs will miss him alot he mybe gone but his spirit will always be with us may u rest in peace Mr. Hickman glhs just lost a really great guy prayers for the Hickman family

andrew Johnson

January 10, 2015

Rip Mr. Hickman Gahanna just lost a really wonderful true icon mentor and friend Andrew Johnson class of 2003

andrew Johnson

January 10, 2015

Mr. Hickman was a great person a wonderful friend who I got to know over the yrs and he was a great man and he was a great teacher at glhs and a great equipment manager and I'm glad I was there to help him when he needed help in the locker room and on the field Gahanna lost a really great guy and he had a wonderful sense of humor rip Mr Hickman

andrew Johnson

January 10, 2015

Mr. Hickman was a great friend to all of us who know him as teacher or on the sideline on Friday night during the football games where I helped him out alot during my days going to school at glhs from 1997-2003 rip Mr. Hickman u will be missed but u will never be forgotten

Nancy Tongol

January 10, 2015

God Bless you, Mr. Hickman. Thank you for the many years that you have given to the students and families in Gahanna. You taught both of my children a long time ago and you road my school bus with the teams you coached. Everyone in Gahanna will miss you, but you will never be forgotten. God Bless the Hickman Family, I know you will carry on... Respectfully, Nancy, Fred, John & Kelly Tongol

Doug and Connie Weakley

January 10, 2015

Doug and I have lost a true friend. John always had a kind word for everyone and many times a teasing one too. He loved his family foremost and then the Gahanna Lions and the Buckeyes. We will miss you, John. Go Bucks for John!

Wendy Fafata-Roberts

January 10, 2015

He will be missed by all in the Gahanna Community!

Wendy Fafata-Roberts
1991-grad
Current G-J Teacher

Wendy Fafata-Roberts

January 10, 2015

Mr. Hickman was one of my favorite PE Teachers while I was in high school. Such a sweet man! He will be missed. Thoughts and prayers to his family. I'm blessed to have known him and followed in his footsteps to be a Gahanna teacher as well!
--Wendy Fafata-Roberts

DeAnna Pentello-Less

January 10, 2015

Never will forget Mr. Hickman's smile and funny stories. Was blessed to hear him tell one last story just this past football season. He was what every educator strives to be. Prayers to his family.

George Hiles

January 10, 2015

Well done my friend

Bryan Bellomy

January 10, 2015

Class act and Gahanna icon. Will be missed by many.

Class of 85.

Chet & Pat Mohler

January 10, 2015

John always liked to talk about our two sons who ended up graduating from the University of Notre Dame unlike us who are OSU grads. What a loyal Lion and Buckeye. We will miss his friendly smile and conversation.
Love to Janet and the children,
Chet & Pat Mohler

Bryan Hicks

January 10, 2015

Godspeed John Hickman. We have lost an Icon of the Gahanna Community and you will be greatly missed.

On the sidlines with John. Bryan and Loghan Hicks with Coach Kevin Sheets

Bryan Hicks

January 10, 2015

Candy Grady

January 10, 2015

My deepest and heartfelt condolences to the Hickman family. I'm an '84 GLHS grad, I didn't have Mr. Hickman personally as a teacher but I remember him being in the halls between classes, joking with all the students. He was the sweetest, kindest man and will be missed and remembered by many. God bless your family and may He comfort you in your time of need

Christopher Clark

January 10, 2015

Mr. Hickman was a true institution amongst GLHS athletes and students and staff. Generations of Alumni from Gahanna will never forget him. He was a good friend and mentor to many of us.

Boston Grunkemeyer

January 10, 2015

Coach Hickman was always at the football games I remember when I was a little boy maybe 4th grade I remember him coming up to me and my dad and just greeting us with joy and happiness and I will always miss that thanks coach we will miss you

Dan Barnette

January 10, 2015

A great man that will be missed at GLHS. REST IN PEACE COACH

January 10, 2015

John was a peach--a dear, friendly, loyal, humble man. I feel lucky to have known him, and been touched by his gentle soul. Terry Hammond, former Librarian, Gahanna Lincoln High School

Patti Kelley

January 10, 2015

Mr. Hickman was one of a kind, overlapping 3 generations of students - whether it was sports, physical education classes, or friendship outside of school, he was always mentoring, helping others to make the best of themselves. The world would be a better place if there were more Mr. Hickmans. Enjoy your celebration in Heaven with all those that have gone before you, John.

Cindy Price

January 9, 2015

My deepest sympathy to the Hickman family I am a gahanna bus driver and I have had coach Hickman on my bus plenty of few times he was a wonderful funny guy he will be deeply missed RIP coach Hickman

January 9, 2015

Mr.Hickman was such a great guy. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
My thoughts & prayers go out to the Hickman family.
Penny Evans

Debbie (Meade) McKay

January 9, 2015

Mr. Hickman will be greatly missed by family friends,students,teachers and so many others. He was loved by everyone and he loved everyone. He never met a stranger. Heaven has truly gotten an Angel in Mr. Hickman. God Bless and may God be with the family in this time of sadness. He would not want people to cry over him he would want a celebration of his life. You will be missed.

Jim Wasson

January 9, 2015

Condolences to his wife and kids. He was the kind of teacher and man you never forgot.
Class of 78

lysa jack

January 9, 2015

What a wonderful man....he will be missed. Prayers to the family. Rip Mr. Hickman

Jeff Jensen

January 9, 2015

Prayers and peace for Mr. Hickman and his family. He was a great man who made me proud to be a part of Gahanna and Gahanna athletics. He will be FOREVER missed.
Jeff Jensen
GLHS football
Class of '99

Mark Grunkemeyer

January 9, 2015

Class Act - He will be missed.

January 9, 2015

Thoughts and prayers with family.
Bea Lewis
Class 87

January 9, 2015

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. He was a great man and will be missed dearly.
Donna Wittman
Class of 87

Patrick Kaune

January 9, 2015

Coach Hickman was a great man. We will miss his leadership, mentorship but most of all, his friendship--a true professional in any endeavor he took on. Always admired and appreciated the interest he took in all of the students and athletes during my time at GLHS. He was the best starter for any race I ever ran. Always professionally done and never a dull moment! Rest in peace Mr. Hickman, we all are better for having known you. God bless and comfort your family during this time.

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