Boone Grant Hichborn

Mr. Hichborn, who served his country in the Navy for 26 years, retiring as a Master Chief, was a devout Roman Catholic who loved spending time with his family, griping about politics, making bad puns, building models, fishing, boating, and telling stories. Above all, he loved seeing his 14 grandchildren.

Mr. Hichborn’s stories from his childhood were a great source of amazement and entertainment for his children, who still wonder how he made it to adulthood. Whether he was driving a go-cart under a passing truck, accidentally shooting a homemade “bazooka” into a neighbor’s car, or getting in trouble with an Indian chief for “reasons,” his children grew up with story after story of what NOT to do.

STGCM Hichborn loved serving as an Acoustic Intelligence Specialist in the Navy and he and his wife, who also served, often referred to the Cold War era as The Glory Days. His tales of hunting Russian subs became family legend.

A lover of practical jokes, Mr. Hichborn continued his exploits in the Navy. Once, while riding a British ship, Hichborn papered as many spaces as he could access with small American flags and wishes of “Happy Independence Day” on the Fourth of July. At another time, he was asked by a young seaman why the ships in the harbor were shooting water through several portholes on the sides of each ship. Hichborn’s response was to tell this greenhorn that because the water levels go down each night, those ships were responsible for refilling the harbor. His last joke was on his wife who told him explicitly that if he got more chickens they were HIS!

He loved camping and shared his skills joyfully with his family and with the various scouting programs he led. He also loved a good football game, whether watching his favorite Chargers or teaching young boys how to play. In recent years, he became active in the local American Legion Post and was very proud to work Bingo, the main fund raiser for the Post.

Mr. Hichborn is survived by his loving wife, Kathryn; three sons, Michael Hichborn, Daniel Hichborn, and Joseph Hichborn; three daughters, Naomi Russo, Andrea Read, and Marjorie Lloyd; and 14 grandchildren, with one on the way.

He was preceded in death by a son, Timothy Hichborn.

He was well loved by all who knew him, and will be sorely missed.

The family will receive friends on Monday, December 13, 2021 at Mullins and Thompson Funeral Service, Stafford Chapel from 6-8:00 pm, with a Rosary service being said at 6:30 pm and an Honor Guard service to follow. A funeral Mass will be held at St Joseph Catholic Church in Richmond at 9:00 am on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, with interment to follow at Quantico National Cemetery at 1:30 pm and a reception at American Legion Post 290.

Online condolences may be posted at www.mullinsthompsonstafford.com

In lieu of flowers, donations for Masses to be said on his behalf can be made at lepantoin.org/boone-hichborn-memorial-fund.