Franklin "Frank" Leon Hickman

September 7, 1926 - January 24, 2014

Frank Hickman, 87, of Groves, Texas went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, January 24, 2014 at Magnolia Manor in Groves. He was born on September 7, 1926 in Muncie, Indiana. He has been a resident of Port Arthur/Groves for 63 years. Frank served in the U. S. Navy in the Pacific during World War II. He was a retired salesman after 60 years of service. Frank and his wife, Betty, owned and operated Betty's Florist/Roses-R-Us on 9Th Avenue for several years. He was raised in the Methodist church and was a member of Assembly of God. Frank delighted in supporting the music ministry of his wife, known professionally as Betty Williamson Hickman, National Steel Guitar Champion. She says of him, "Frank was my inspiration. He joyfully carried all of her equipment, guitars, amplifiers, et cetera everywhere they traveled in the United States and Canada. They had many invitations would wide. He was so proud of his role in her ministry that he wore a name tag' that stated simply, "Betty's Husband". One of his greatest joys in life was his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Frank was a master story teller and one of the funniest humorists that his family and friends have ever known. He could have been a stand-up comedian. He had a prodigious memory and it seamed to his family that he remembered his entire life in vivid detail from the present all the way back to early childhood. He is deeply loved. We miss him already. "Love you Dad. Miss ya' gramps". Visitation will be on Sunday, January 26, 2014 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home in Groves. Funeral Service will be at 1:00 PM Monday, January 27, 2014 in the Thompson Memorial Chapel at Clayton Thompson. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park. Frank is survived by his loving wife of almost 60 years, Betty Williamson Hickman of Groves, Texas, his daughters, Darlene Hickman Barkley and her husband Bron of Kingwood, Texas, Deanna Hickman DesOrmeaux and her husband Kirk of Santa Fe, New Mexico, four grandchildren, John Paul Barkley and his wife Kristin of McKinney, Texas, Jared Barkley of Las Vegas, Nevada, Kris DesOrmeaux and his wife Christina of Houston, Texas, Kerri DesOrmeaux of Pelahatchie, Mississippi, great grandchildren, Joshua, Ashtyn, Everrett and Brooks (Children of John Paul and Kristin) Cristian and Sebastian (Children of Kris and Christina DesOrmeaux) Lainey, Dominic, Vernan and Braylen (Children of Kerri DesOrmeaux ).