Baker City, Oregon
Donald Kent Hickerson, 81, of Baker City, died March 18, 2004, at Ashley Manor Care Center in Baker City.
His graveside funeral will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery. The Baker Elks Lodge No 338 and the American Legion Club No 41 will officiate. Military auspices will be by the National Guard Armory. Honorary pallbearers are Pat Guyman, Joe Ryder, Bill Cassidy, Hershel Wood, Don Christy and Ron Nelson. Visitations will be today until 6 p.m. at Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave.
Don was born Nov. 2, 1922, in Baker City to George C. and Viola Merle (Lonzway) Hickerson. He attended Baker High School where he played the saxophone in the school band. After graduation he worked at the local Safeway store.
In 1943 Don joined the U.S. Army, and he served during World War II as a paratrooper in the Pacific Theater. Don earned many medals for his service, including a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
Don returned to Baker City after his time in the Army and opened his own small grocery store, The Table Supply. He soon after gave up the grocery store business to work for Pacific Fruit, where he worked as a produce salesman. Don traveled with his job, spending time in Pendleton and all over Eastern Oregon. In his free time back home in Baker City, Don continued playing his saxophone in a local band.
In his later years he enjoyed watching sports and was not afraid of a friendly wager. He also enjoyed fishing, and he would take his boat to the coast or up to Phillips Reservoir. Don loved his friends and met for coffee every morning with the “Metamucil Bunch” to talk and tell stories.
Don is survived by his cousin, Johannah Lyon of Payette, Idaho, and her children, Pat Lyon of New Plymouth, Idaho, Jim Lyon of Fruitland, Idaho and Jodell Barber and her husband, Dennis, of McCall, Idaho. Don also is survived by many wonderful friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Merle and George Hickerson; and his brother, Craig Hickerson.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Baker Elks Lodge No. 338 or to the American Legion Club No. 41 in care of Gray’s West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, March 26, 2004
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor