Galen Joel Hickerson
Galen Joel Hickerson, 64, of Houston, MO, September 29, 1947 - February 21, 2012.
Galen Joel Hickerson was born in Great Bend, KS, on September 29, 1947 to Albert and Virginia Leedy Hickerson. The oldest of three children, Galen grew up in Dodge City, KS.
In 1965, he enrolled at Ozark Bible College, where he received his Bachelors of Sacred Literature degree. While there, he met Evelyn Douglas, and they were married October 11, 1968 at Oak Hill Christian Church. To this union were born two children, Allen and Carolyn.
Galen became an ordained minister, and preached at a variety of mostly smaller rural churches. Over the course of 35 years, he served churches in Arkansas, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas. In time, he pursued graduate studies in ministry, specializing in ministry to senior citizens.
Galen was a devoted husband and father, and relished his role as grandpa to his two grandsons, Jonah and Jaxon Davis. He enjoyed singing, lending his bass voice to parts singing in college and church. He was a longtime member of the Fellowship of Christian Magicians, and enjoyed using illusions and balloon sculpting to share gospel messages with kids of all ages. He was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, and enjoyed attending Springfield Cardinals games with church groups.
After battling melanoma for two years, Galen passed from this life on early Tuesday morning, February 21st at Christian Health Care and Rehabilitation North, Lebanon, MO, graduating to a glorious new life in eternity with a new body free of disease and pain. He was 64 years of age. Galen was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Jr. and Mabel Leedy. He is survived by his wife Evelyn of Houston, MO; son Allen, of Pawnee, IL; his daughter Carolyn Davis of Tulsa, OK; two sisters, Gwenna Harms of Great Bend, KS and Gina German of Mayfield, KS; three nieces, one nephew; and two grandsons, Jonah and Jaxon Davis.