Stanley S. Hickman

Stanley Hickman, Real Estate Developer and longtime resident of Dallas, Texas, passed away January 3, 2012, at age 82. Stan, affectionately known as “Sunshine”, was born in New York on February 13, 1929, to May and Mack Hickman. He spent his early childhood years in Cleveland, where he played cello in the Cleveland Children’s Orchestra. His middle and high school years were spent in Amarillo, Texas, where he was editor of the school paper and on the debate team. He graduated from Amarillo High in 1946. He attended the University of Texas at Austin, receiving his bachelor degree in Journalism in 1951 where he was an officer in the Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity, and a member of the recognized UT "cowboys". He was an avid swimmer and took the welterweight championship in boxing. He earned the Daily Texas Bronze Key award for University Newspaper. He was a "goodfellow," chairman for the National Students Association, and served on numerous campus committees. Stan served in the army from 1952-54, and was recognized for his dedicated service with the Corp of Public Information Office. Most of Stan’s career was spent in and around Dallas, Texas. He began his work in mortgage banking in 1954 and two years later formed The Stanley Hickman Company. Over the years, he participated in the development of shopping centers, retail strips, apartment projects, and hotels in Dallas, San Antonio, Houston and Ft. Worth, Texas, California, and Massachusetts. Without a doubt, Stan was a consummate risk taker and he will be missed by many. In Stan's free time his passions were growing orchids, photography and spending weekends at his farm, which he amusingly named "The Bar Mitzvah", where he raised his longhorn cattle and a menagerie of other animals. He also loved sailing and traveling to out of the way and undiscovered beaches. He leaves behind an enormous circle of friends cultivated over the years. Stan was a man who had a great deal of energy, imagination, and intelligence. He could converse with anyone and treated everyone the same. He truly loved people and always wanted to lend a helping hand. He was a joy to be around and had so many fascinating stories to tell, from the ridiculous to the sublime. He was a generous supporter of various charities. He was preceded in death by his parents May and Mack Hickman. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Beth Hickman; his daughter Dana Michele Johnson; her husband Craig Johnson; and his most cherished grandchildren, Max, Morgan and Sam Johnson. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to either the Alzheimer’s Association, Dallas Office, 4144 N. Central Exp., #750, Dallas, TX 75204 or Jewish Family Services, 5402 Arapaho Road, Dallas, TX 75248. Our family would like to express their sincerest appreciation to the staff at the Plaza at Edgemere and his personal caregivers Lescia, Wateretta, and Eric Jiles for their years of loving care.

Stan had many memorable moments of his Thursday lunch visits by his dear friends Alvin Zidell, the late Billy Zidell, Larry Burk, Mo Rudelson, Bob Palistrant, Stanley Peskind, and Lew Zale. Funeral service will be held at Temple Emmanuel’s Lefkowitz Chapel, January 6th, at 11 a.m., followed by interment at Sparkman Hillcrest Memorial Park.