Donald Ulysses Hickok, 97, of Ulysses, Ks went to be with his Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ, and was reunited with the love of his life on
Wednesday, November 9th, 2022.
He was born July 21st, 1925, to Charles William and Mary Frances
(McGillivray) Hickok in Ulysses, Ks. He graduated from Grant County
Rural High School and joined the Navy at the age of 17 in 1943. He was
sent to school in Maryville, Missouri, and from there to California, and
then to Iowa University. He was taking the pre-flight program, and then
was to enter the flight training but World War II ended and changed his
plans. He then attended Colorado University at Boulder, graduating
in1949 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
Don met the love of his life, Ruth Ann Reese on a blind date during his
time at Boulder and they were married on June 14th, 1948, at the First
Christian Church in Logan, Ks. They were married for 74 wonderful years
and enjoyed their kids and grandkids.
Living in Ulysses for 93 of his 97 years, Don had been a valued part of
the community serving in many capacities. He was a member of the First
United Methodist Church, the Dexter D. Harbour American Legion Post #79,
Rotary Club, and the Masons. He was the treasurer for the Ulysses
School Board for many years. He and Ruth Ann owned and operated the
local Gamble’s store, later called Hickok Home Center. They served many
people in Ulysses and the surrounding area for 34 years until they
retired in 1992. They had many opportunities to travel the world through
the companies they worked with throughout the years and enjoyed it
thoroughly. As they were approaching retirement, they built a cabin home
in Cuchara, Colorado. They spent many summers in retirement enjoying
the beautiful mountains and the many wonderful friends they met there.
Don was a wonderful husband, father, “favorite father-in-law”, Granddad,
Great-Granddad, uncle, and friend. He loved his family dearly and
showed it so well. He enjoyed painting, creating many wonderful
masterpieces that were adorned on the walls of their home and shared
with family. He enjoyed fishing, and golfing in his younger years. He
enjoyed cooking and “Chef La Don” was famous for his onion casserole. He
enjoyed sharing his life stories with family and anyone who entered
their home.
Don is survived by his daughter, Susan Goulding and husband John of
Prairie Village, Ks; son, Bill Hickok and wife Bobbi Jo of Ulysses, Ks;
grandchildren, Alisha Hickok of Wichita, Ks; Nolan Hickok and wife Jamie
of Wichita, Ks; Lauren Carolan and husband James of Prairie Village,
Ks; Spencer Goulding of Murphy, Or; Joshua Hickok of Ulysses, Ks; Kyle
Hickok and fiancée Cassidy of Ulysses, Ks; Reese Goulding of Oklahoma
City, Ok; and Brooke Perez and husband Tanner of Ulysses, Ks;
great-grandchildren, Emma Carolan and Brecklyn Perez; and numerous
special nieces and nephews.
Don is preceded in death by his parents, sister, Annabelle Lahey; brother, Charles Hickok; and grandson, Johnny Goulding.
Funeral Service will be at 11:00 am on Monday November 14th, 2022, at the
First United Methodist Church in Ulysses with Reverend Todd Guinn
officiating. Graveside service will follow at the Ulysses Cemetery with
Military Rites conducted by Dexter D. Harbour American Legion Post #79.
Visitation will be from 2-6 pm with the family present from 4-6 pm on
Sunday, November 13th, 2022, at Garnand Funeral Home in Ulysses. The
Service will be live streamed on the Garnand Funeral Home Facebook page
as well as the Ulysses United Methodist Church’s Facebook page.
Memorial contributions may be given to the First United Methodist Church or the Grant County Scholarship Fund in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave. Ulysses, Ks 67880. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.