LONETREE — Alfred Jack Hickey 89, died July 8, at his home in Lonetree surrounded by his family.
Jack was born in Lonetree on June 27, 1929, to Joseph and Erma Early Hickey in the ranchhouse that was built by his grandfather, Eugene Hickey in 1908, that still stands today. Jack has lived his life in Lonetree on the ranch his grandfather started in 1874. He attended school in Lonetree and then worked for his father. He continued to work this way, buying land of his own when he could.
On July 8, 1952, he married Marian Hopkin, a daughter of Vern and May Stuart Hopkin. Marian grew up on a ranch near Woodruff Utah. Jack and Marian were married 66 years.
He learned his good work ethic from his parents and often recalled living in a sheep camp feeding cattle by himself during the cold winters of ‘48 and ‘49. Jack worked hard to take care of his livestock and land. Jack always liked cattle and horses. He especially liked horses that bucked. This was evident by the 25 years he competed in the pro-rodeos and by the string of bucking broncs he maintained to this day.
He served a term as an area spokesman for the Rodeo Cowboys Association and he served on the Lonetree and Mountain View schoolboards. Jack was chosen in 2005 by the Wyoming Game and Fish as the Landowner of the Year for the Green River region and was inducted into the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2014. With these accomplishments what meant the most to him was doing ranch work with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jack is survived by his wife, Marian; four children: Joe V. (Cindy Hofer), Michael (Trudy Walker), Louise (Keith Kennedy) and Jim (Julie Hamblin) all of Lonetree; one sister, Zola McMahon of Maquoketa, Iowa; one nephew, Mike McMahon; and one niece, Shawnna McMahon Murphy; 13 grandchildren and their spouses and 30 great-grandchildren.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Dick; and one great-granddaughter.
A viewing will be held July 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Urie Stake Center and on July 14, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. with the service to follow at 11 a.m. Interment will be at the Fort Bridger Cemetery.
A special thank you to Cowboy Care for their tender love and concern.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grub Club C/O Gateway Community Christian Church, PO Box 565, Mountain View, WY 82939.
Condolences may be made at www.crandallfhevanston.com.
