John Ford Hickman

John Ford Hickman, age 76, of Gulfport passed away on Monday, February 25, 2008 in Gulfport. John attended school in Biloxi, graduating in 1951. He served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War and participated in several of the large offensive battles. John worked in the auto parts business for most of his life and retired as manager of Gulf Motor Parts in Gulfport. He loved the Coast as only a native son can and enjoyed fishing, crabbing, and shrimping. He played golf and was a member of the South Mississippi Senior Golf Group and was a member of the Great Southern Golf Club. John will be missed by his family and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, E. J. Hickman and Carrie Hickman LaRush; and a sister, Floy Hartel of Biloxi. He is survived by his wife, Jane Reid Hickman of Gulfport; a daughter, Caroline Hickman of Meridian; a son, Daryl Hickman of Biloxi; a step-daughter, Deborah Reid Lee of Blytheville, AR; two step-sons, Mark Reid of Biloxi and Johnny Ward of Conyers, GA; four sisters, Eweather Stephens of Mooresville, IN, Evelyn Howe of Indianapolis, IN, Dot Merrill of Biloxi, and Linda Winkler of St. Louis, MO; a brother, William Hickman and sister-in-law Jackie Hickman of Biloxi; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Thursday, February 28, 2008 from 1 until 2:00 p.m. at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport. A graveside service will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Biloxi National Cemetery with military honors. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com