Rev. John L Hickman Jr.

Rev. John L. Hickman, Jr. was born April 16, 1932, in Lancaster, Ohio and died August 20, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. He was the son of John L. and Edith Hickman (nee Fuller). He was predeceased by Carolyn June, his loving wife of 63 years. He is also survived by his son, John Mark (Anne) Hickman and his daughter Julie Hickman, and grandchildren Jeffrey (Pam) Hickman, John Lyle Hickman, Joseph (Darci) Hickman, Ashley (the Rev. Reggie) Phillips, the Rev. Hunter Hickman, great-grandsons Hudson and Sawyer Phillips, Ezekiel Hickman, and Ryder John Hickman, and great-grand daughters Annabelle and Elyse Phillips and Ryiah Hickman. He is predeceased by his son-in-law Dr. Paul A. Hickman.

John graduated from Lancaster High School and Asbury University. He earned Master of Divinity Degrees from Asbury Theological Seminary and Hamma Divinity School. He was a United Methodist paster for 48 years, serving churches in Kentucky and in Ohio. His last fulltime appointment was at Northwest United Methodist Church in Columbus. He was a member of the bishop’s cabinet, serving as superintendent of the West Ohio Conference Wilmington District. He was active on many local, district, and UMC conference level committees and was chairman of several.

John was active throughout his life. In college and graduate school, he played intramural basketball. He enjoyed golf into his forties, and played tennis several times per week for 40 years until the COVID pandemic closed indoor courts. At Friendship Village of Dublin (FVD), he enjoyed playing bocce.

John loved his family. He was at as many of his children’s and grandchildren’s concerts, plays, and events as possible. He significantly supported all five of his grandchildren with college tuition. He always enjoyed seeing his seven great grandchildren whenever they visited.

John was a very sociable person and knew nearly everyone at FVD by name. While his wife, June, was alive, the two of them would often greet new residents and even share a meal with them their first week at FVD. He would not only get to know new residents, but he would introduce them to others at the Village.

He was called to ministry as a teenager. All of his life he learned about and loved the Lord and introduced others to Him. At the end of his life, he was happy that he would soon be with the Lord and with June, who he missed dearly.

The family would like to commend the tremendous friendship and care provided to John and June during their time at Friendship Village of Dublin, and the physical, emotional, and spiritual support to John and his family by Capital City Hospice in the last weeks and days of John’s life.

A service of celebration will be held at Northwest United Methodist Church on September 12, 2024, at 4:00 PM, with visitation from 2:00-4:00 PM, and a fellowship meal following. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to Northwest United Methodist Church or the Residents’ Benevolent Fund of Friendship Village of Dublin.