Don D. Hickman

COL Don D. Hickman U.S. Army Ret., 78, of Midland City passed away Friday, February 10, 2012 at a local hospital.

rnFuneral services will be 2 pm Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at Sunset Funeral Home with Rev. Ray Jones officiating. Burial with Full Military Honors will follow in Sunset Memorial Park with Robert Byrd directing. The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm Tuesday at the funeral home. rnDon was born February 11, 1933 in Dallas, TX to the late Cecil P. and Mary Lois Hickman. He joined the U.S. Army at an early age and served his country for 32 years retiring in 1980 as an O-6 Colonel. His first flight lessons were taken in 1949 at Sequin, TX. He was in the Korean War and the Vietnam War as well as several other conflicts and was recruited by the newly formed C.I.A. in 1951 in Korea after receiving a battlefield commission. He was posted to the French Foreign Legion in 1954 in the last stand in battle of what is now Vietnam. He went through Rotary Wing transition at Ft. Rucker in 1955 and was posted back in Asia where he flew high reconnaissance flights and many other classified missions and was the Chief Pilot of Air America, Air Asia. Don was a graduate of "The Farm" at Langley, VA with the C.I.A. and also studied at the University of Texas, the University of Maryland, attended Infantry Advanced Course War College at Command and General Staff School, and attended Infantry Advanced Officer’s Course at Ft. Benning, GA. rnDon was recognized widely for his contributions to his country to include the Distinguished Service Cross, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Valor, Purple Heart, Air Medal 6, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Korean War Service Medal, and United Nations Korean Medal. He founded Midland Automotive Parts in 1982. Don was a Life Member of American Numismatic Association, Life Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Life Member of Southeast Seniors Golf Association, he was a 3rd Degree Mason, a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, and a member of the Gideons International. rnSurvivors include his wife Carolyn Hickman of Midland City; son Chris Brandi Hickman of Midland City; grandchildren, Sonja Hickman and Alexander Hickman; brothers-in-law, Darrell Conner of Midland City and Steven Kathy Conner of Hanceville, AL; a sister-in-law Rebecca Danny Hall of Midland City; several nieces and nephews also survive. rnPallbearers will be Chris Hickman, Chris Parker, Danny Hall, Dennis Matthews, and Steve Conner. Burial Date: January 1, 1970