Homer Glenn "Poopa" Kiker Sr.

Homer Glenn Kiker, Sr., age 86, of Fannett, Texas, passed away peacefully on October 1, 2025. A lifelong resident of Fannett, Homer's life was deeply rooted in the Fannett area, where his family were some of the first to settle. With those roots close to his heart, Homer lived a life defined by hard work, devotion to the family, and love of community.

Born and raised in Fannett, Homer left home briefly to serve his country as a proud United States Marine. After his service, he returned to the rice fields alongside his father, where he farmed rice for 38 years. After retiring from farming, Homer went to work for Jefferson County Precinct 3, where his coworkers became like family, especially after the passing of his beloved wife, Anita. He retired from Precinct 3 in 2024 at the age of 85. Retirement, however, was not easy for Homer – he often said "You die when you stop working", and those who knew him well know just how true those words were for him.

Homer was proudest as his role as "Poopa", a name given to him by his granddaughter Ferrell, and later his grandson, Stone. He showered his grandchildren with love, while teaching them the value of hard work. He gave them their first cars, taught Ferrell how to ride a bike and drive and he often told her "Go write yourself a $50 check". With Stone, he shared traditions like attending the Southeast Texas Independent Cattlemen's Association Bull Sale every spring, and he loved hearing about Stone's hunting trips – always ready with a laugh and a jab : "That's all you killed? I guess I'll have to go next time and show you how it's done."

Homer lived a simple life and found joys in simple pleasures: a long day's work followed by a drive with Anita to look at cows, old country and western music especially Loretta Lynn, and a glass of Ancient Age whiskey in the evenings. He was a gifted storyteller, happiest when gathered around the yellow table in his kitchen with family and friends. Music, laughter, and tall tales flowed freely there, and on certain nights "Charlie Lightfoot" might even appear, leading a dance or two.

Homer became "famous" in his own way for many things: his spaghetti salad, his "Rhode Island Red" barbeque, and legendary Halloween scares. For generations of children in Fannett, trick-or-treating at Homer's house meant risking a scare from a Gorilla mask – a tradition still remembered fondly by adults in the community today.

Some of Homer's other loves included rodeos, western movies, watching golf in his later years, BBQ crabs, visits by Joyce Sewell and Rocky Sewell, daily trips to Green Acres Grocery, meals served at Lercy's Diner in Winnie (Joy and her staff not only fed him but filled his soul with love!), and chewing tobacco – life was never quite the same once Red Horse Chew became difficult to find. He and Anita also cherished their annual trips to the Texas Hill Country, where they stocked up on peaches from Burg's Corner, turkey fries from the Sunday Haus, and smoked sausage from Inman's in Llano.

Homer was deeply committed to his community, serving many years as Chief of the Fannett-Labelle Volunteer Fire Department. Just last year, he was honored as the Texas Rice Festival Pioneer Farmer of the Year.

Now that Homer has passed, the family jokes that Debb's Liquor on College Street will see a drop in sales revenue and the Ancient Age liquor company may struggle without his faithful support. While his family and friends will miss him dearly, they take comfort knowing he has been reunited with Anita in heaven. Fittingly, Homer never woke from his surgery on September 23rd – Anita's birthday- and the family believes he surprised her in heaven with the best gift of all.

He surely was greeted by Aunt JoJo (Lolita), Melanie, J.E. Howard, Uncle Arthur (no doubt already causing mischief together), Bobby and a host of other loved ones. The family also hopes that Virgel Martel had some smoked deer sausage ready – and they know heaven has already heard Anita say, more than once, "Homer!!".

Homer's legacy will live on in the land he worked, the stories he told, and family and friends he cherished. His family will hold him in their hearts forever.

He is survived by his son, Glenn Kiker and wife, Lindsey; grandchildren, Stone Kiker and Ferrell Kiker Dubois and her husband, Mason; siblings, Charles Kiker, John Kiker, Arthur "Buzz" Kiker and his wife, Dorothy, and Kathy Settle; sister-in-law Joyce Kiker; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, C.A. "Red" Kiker and Ferrell Wingate Kiker; wife, Anita Kiker; and brother, Paul Kiker.