Darrel Lester Hickman, 76, of Dodge City, Kans., passed away on Monday, May 8, at Manor of the Plains care home.
He was born January 2, 1947, in Garden City, Kans., to Oliver and Dorothy (Simpson) Hickman.
He married Lynette Lane July 15, 1967, in Ulysses. They were married for 56 years.
Darrel grew up in Ulysses. He graduated from Grant County Rural High School in 1965. He received an associate degree from Hutchinson Community College and then graduated from WSU in 1970 with an Industrial Arts and Education Degree.
He taught school in Syracuse, Kans., for two years. They then moved to Mississippi where he worked construction for one year. They moved back to Ulysses in 1973. He began doing remodeling eventually partnered with Stanley Hill and started H & H Construction. When Stanley moved, he continued on his own until 2014. He gradually went from remodeling to exclusively concrete work. He was a well-known contractor all over the western half of Kansas, Eastern Colorado and as far away as Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Darrel was an avid hunter. He hunted with bow, rifle and shotgun about anything that was in season. He had a large collection of guns. He was one of the founding members of North Fork Tailgunners.
Survivors include his wife, Lynette; daughter, Kim Schubert and husband, Dale; daughter-in-law, Julie Hickman; three grandchildren: Courtney Wakefield (Will), Tanner Schubert and Joshua Hickman; one great-grandchild, Whitley Wakefield; brother, Robert Hickman and wife, Linda, of Wichita; sister, Myrna Self and husband, Dale, of Canon City, Colo.; and lots of cousins, nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Jason.
Graveside service and inurnment took place at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 13, at the Ulysses Cemetery with Pastor Steve Swann, Jr. officiating.
Following the service there was a gathering of family and friends at Bear Creek Coffee in Ulysses.
Memorial contributions may be given to North Fork Tailgunners or charity of your choice in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave., Ulysses, KS 67880.
Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.
