Eugene Hickman

1SG Eugene Hickman, U.S. Army (Ret.), a proud husband, father of two, grandfather of four, friend, 100% disabled U.S. Army veteran, US Army education officer, volunteer, and patriot passed away on May 11, 2025 in San Antonio, TX at the age of 77 due to cancer from exposure to Agent Orange.

Born on October 10, 1947, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Gene lived a life defined by service, discipline, quiet strength, and unending patience and love. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology from the University of Arkansas (1970), a Master’s Degrees in Education from Vanderbilt University (1981), and a Master’s Degree in International Relations from Troy University (1995).

Gene served the US Army for 20 years and retired with honors as a First Sergeant (1SG) in US Army Military Intelligence. He was known for his steadfast leadership and deep sense of duty. He was a guiding force in every unit he led; earning him respect from both peers and subordinates. His lifetime was marked by selfless service to the United States of America and its citizens. 1SG Hickman began his professional career as a military linguist on January 30, 1973. 1SG Hickman’s unique talents protected American lives, bridged global cultures, and supported vital US interests during definitive military campaigns.

Gene’s first operational assignment was to Thailand in support of the Vietnam War. In subsequent assginments, he operated as a German linguist in Berlin and Fulda, Germany in support of Cold War Operations. His military education included Defense Language Institute (DLI) Basic Chinese, DLI Basic German, DLI Advanced German, and Electronic Warfare Interceptor Course. 1SG Hickman’s numerous commendations include: the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Occupation Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and German Schuetzenschnur. Despite his achievements, his greatest pride and joy was found in supporting and mentoring young Soldiers.

After his Army retirement, Gene served as an Army Education Services Officer. Ultimately, he became the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for the Army-wide Voluntary Education Contract. After another 20 years of civilian government service, he officially retired to San Antonio, TX.

Even after he retired from government service, he continued to demonstrate unwavering dedication to soldiers by volunteering at the Ft. Sam Houston United Services Organization (USO) attached to the Military Entry Processing Station (MEPS) twice a week for a decade. There he helped our nation’s young men and women begin their first enlistments into the various branches of our US Armed Forces.

Gene’s life was one of service, sacrifice, and steadfast dedication to his country, his family, his church and his friends. He loved to travel both domestically and internationally and he was able to visit five out of the seven continents. We are so grateful that he was able to visit his numbers one and two bucket list locations-- Angkor Wat in 2023 and the Munich Oktoberfest in 2024. His knowledge of history, geography and world affairs was as endless as his love for his fellow Americans.

Gene was a devout Roman Catholic; a 4th degree Knight of Columbus, and a former St. Helena’s Catholic Church Knight of the Year (2017-18). Gene took great consolation in praying along with Trish Short’s Chaplet of the Divine Mercy on YouTube at the beginning and ending of every day and with whoever came to visit him. We are extremely grateful to all of our family and friends who prayed the Divine Mercy and the Rosary with us along the way of his last earthly journey—it definitely gave Gene and Barbara great strength, comfort and hope.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Harold Hickman and his sister, Ruth (Nan) Hogberg. Gene Hickman is survived by his wife, Barbara Hickman; children, Joey and Isaiah; grandchildren, Logan, Duncan, Berlin, and Astoria; and many extended family members and friends. He always said that he and his family were blessed beyond measure by the wonderful people in his life.

A Funeral Mass will be held at the Blessed Sacrament Church in San Antonio on May 21, 2025 at 9:00 A.M. Interment with full military honors will take place at 10:30 A.M. sharp at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Shelter #3. For those unable to attend, please click the link to view the service: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v2AJI3vzqRdQj6tdZ6CrHXIcSyNOFn8y/view?usp=sharing

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Gene’s memory to either The American Cancer Society or Tunnels to Towers. The latter is a national organization that honors the sacrifices of firefighters, military personnel and first responders; particularly those who died or were injured on September 11, 2001, and to support the needs of Gold Star families and injured veterans.

Gene’s legacy lives on in the hearts he inspired, the soldiers he led, the family he raised, and the country he proudly served. His family loved and adored him as a brilliant, loving, patient and kind husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and uncle. He will be sorely missed, but his earthly mission is complete and now he dwells in the house of the Lord forever.