"Growing up in Rockwell City, our family spent a lot of time at the Hickey cousins' home. Also, later on, we spent time at Grandma Baker's house, right across the street from the Hickey home. Tom was the oldest of the five Hickey kids, three years behind me. I remember many holidays, Sunday dinners, and reunions spent together.I especially treasure the week (about 10 years ago) that Tom and Sharon came to Arizona and visited my mom, along with my wife Vicki and me. We are so glad we got together the last two summers for a quick meal and reunion time. The Hickey family is a wonderful, close-knit family, and I treasure times with them as did my mom, Tom's Aunt Arlene. We will miss him."
In loving memory of
Thomas P. Hickey
August 27, 1952 - September 16, 2018
Thomas Patrick Hickey, 66, passed away, Sunday, September 16, 2018 at Trinity Regional Medical Center after a short illness.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 20th, 2018 at 10:00 AM in the Chapel of the Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home and 10:30 AM at Corpus Christi Church with Rev. Patrick Behm officiating the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be in Corpus Christi Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM with a Legion of Mary Rosary at 4:00 PM and Vigil Prayer Service at 7:00 PM all at Laufersweiler Funeral Home.
Thomas (Tom) arrived on Wednesday, August 27, 1952 to Kenneth E. and Mercedes A. (Baker) Hickey at Mercy Hospital in Fort Dodge, IA. Tom lived all of his life in Fort Dodge, attending Catholic School and graduating from Saint Edmond High School in 1970. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from Buena Vista College in 1981.
Tom was a devout Catholic his whole life. He married Sharon Marie Ross on June 26, 1976 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Rockwell City, Iowa and they were joyfully united 42 years until his death.
Tom was preceded in death by his grandparents, Glenn & Ina Hickey and Harley & Emma Baker along with both parents in March 1987.
He was blessed and survived by his wife Sharon along with four children: Melissa A. Hickey, New Orleans, LA, Christine M. (Clint) Bigelow, Iowa City, IA, Patrick J. (Angela) Hickey, Fort Dodge, IA and Matthew T. (Miosotis) Hickey, Pleasant Hill, IA. He was blessed with seven grandchildren: Nashaly, Laila, Kinley, Noah and Nathan Hickey and Elise and Eve Bigelow. He is also survived by brothers, Daniel (Marsha) Hickey, David (Jody) Hickey, and sisters, Therese (Kirk) Underwood and Madonna (Tracy) Faith, all of Fort Dodge, IA and many nieces and nephews.
After 34 years, Tom retired as a Senior Manager in Biological R&D at Fort Dodge Animal Health in June 2008. He began as a Lab Chemist; worked hard to make sure his family was well cared for, holding many positions over the years. He traveled to several countries to share his knowledge for the company. He received numerous awards and led the company in unique aspects of animal health vaccine technology. He was a member of the American Chemical Society and the Knights of Columbus for 35 years. He also served in the Legion of Mary and Prison ministries for the church.
After the rite of Christian burial, Tom will be interned near his parents and his mother's parents at Corpus Christi Cemetery, 42 Degrees 31.492' N, 94 Degrees 10.875'.
Memorial suggestions: Smile Train, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research or Holy Trinity Parish, Fort Dodge.
Tributes
"Mark and I are sorry to learn of Tom's passing. He and Sharon were solid fellow Corpus Christi and St. Edmond "family" members all the time we lived in Fort Dodge. You are all in our prayers. Barb and Mark Thompson"
"Dear Sharon. So sorry to hear of Tom?s passing. My sympathies to all of you. May he Rest In Peace. Mahesh Kumar"
"Lit a candle in memory of Tom Hickey"
"Sharon and Family. Sorry to hear about Tom. My condolences to all of you.. My prayers are with you at this difficult time."