John Calvin Hickman Sr.

John Calvin Hickman, Sr., 88, of Little Rock, Arkansas passed away March 21, 2015. He was born February 8, 1927 in Rogers, Arkansas, to Robert Carl Hickman and Amy Ruth Collins Hickman. He leaves his wife of more than 66 years, Patricia Carson Hickman, with whom he shared a love affair like no other. He is survived by their three beloved children, John Calvin Hickman, Jr. and his wife Jodi of Little Rock, Julie Carson Hickman and her husband Clayton of Demorest, Georgia, and Patrick Collins Hickman of Little Rock. John adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as he was so kindhearted, generous with his time, and devoted to being the best grandfather he could be. John's grandchildren, who lovingly referred to him as their "Da," are John "Jay" Hickman III and his wife Kristen of Harrison, Arkansas; Holley Hickman McCain and her husband Charlie of Little Rock; Carson Chambers and his wife Amy of Demorest, Georgia; Patrick "Collins" Hickman Jr. and Miles Hickman, both of Little Rock. His great grandchildren are Cayden Chambers and Sadie Chambers of Demorest; Bazze Hickman and Elizabeth "Liz" Hickman of Harrison; and Henry McCain of Little Rock. John was preceded in death by his parents and brother Robert "Bob" Hickman and wife Anne Hickman. John was not only a father, friend, and mentor to his children but he was an eternal optimist that wholeheartedly embraced turning anything negative into something positive. He was a devoted and enthusiastic fan of the Razorbacks, Oaklawn racing, golf, and basically any sport that was on ESPN and its affiliates. John attended Little Rock public schools and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He was very active in his fraternity, Sigma Chi, and eventually served as President of the Central Arkansas Alumni Chapter. His service to his fraternity brought honor and prestige to the name of Sigma Chi. John started his business career at Union Life Insurance Company in Little Rock. His first job at Union Life was an agency assistant, but with hard work and determination, he was promoted to Agency Secretary, Agency Supervisor, Superintendent of Agencies, Associate Director of Agencies, Vice President of Public Relations, and member of the Executive Committee. In 1977, he was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Union Life and a member of the Board of Directors. He retired as Chairman of the Board in 1989. John worked hard at Union Life to build a thriving and productive company. He lived by the philosophy that "the key to having a successful insurance company was to take care of your agents." John was very active in his community. He was one of the Founders of the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce. He was a former Advisory Board member of the Salvation Army. He was also active in the Metropolitan YMCA Board of Directors and served as Chairman of the Board and past President of the YMCA Foundation. John was highly involved in the United Way of Pulaski County where he was the former Chairman of the United Way Campaign and a former President of the United Way Foundation. John was very honored to be a former Chairman of the Board of St. Vincent Infirmary in addition to a being member of the Board of the Carti Foundation. He also served as a member of the UALR Development Foundation, National Conference of Christians and Jews, the Major Sports Association, Fifty for the Future, Arkansas Repertory Theater, Downtown Rotary Club, and the Arkansas Arts Center. He was very devoted to and active in St. Mark's Episcopal Church where he served his church as a past President and Board Member of the St. Mark's Foundation. It was very important to him to be involved in the Men's Bible Group at the Church. A memorial service will be held on Monday, March 30th at 2 p.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 1000 N. Mississippi, Little Rock, Arkansas. A reception immediately following the service will be held in the Parrish Hall. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the physicians and staff at Foxridge in Chenal and Arkansas Hospice that gave John such exemplary care, love and joy. John and the family request that, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mark's Episcopal Foundation or your favorite charity. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., (501) 224-2200. John's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.