Timothy James Hickman

Obituary of Timothy James Hickman

Timothy James Hickman ("TJ"), age 62, passed away on August 28, 2025, at Our Lady of Peace hospice center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Though he spent his final months living in Inver Grove Heights, MN with his friend and roommate Anton, TJ was a city man through and through.

Born August 16, 1963, in Minneapolis to Carol Marie and Robert Stanley Hickman, TJ carried the spirit of the city with him for his entire life. After earning his B.A. from the University of Minnesota and his J.D. from Hamline University, he dedicated his career to civil rights and employment law. He had a passion for ensuring that everyone was treated with fairness and equality, a mission that shaped both his work and his life.

TJ is preceded in death by his parents, Carol and Robert, and his partner, Jen. He is survived by his children, Taylor and Atlas; granddaughter, Isla; sisters, Jodi and Jill; and many aunts, uncles, and extended family members with whom he shared close bonds.

Beyond his profession, TJ was defined by his humor, his honesty, and his refusal to be anyone other than himself. A lifelong fan of The Big Lebowski, he lived by the simple philosophy of "the dude abides." He loved philosophy and literature, particularly the works of Ernest Hemingway, and was happiest when discussing life's big questions over good conversation and laughter.

A celebration of TJ's life will be held on Friday, September 5, from 12:00–2:00 p.m. in the community room at Kingsley Commons, 4550 Humboldt Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55412. Burial will follow later in the month on Saturday, September 20, from 10:00–11:00 a.m. at Lakewood Cemetery, 3600 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408.

TJ will be remembered for his humor, his big heart, and his unwavering belief that life was meant to be lived authentically. As he might say: the dude abides.