Roll Call Tribute
Hugh Wickham Jr. '56 July 9, 2021 9:40 AM updated: July 9, 2021 9:51 AM
Hugh Lawson Wickham Jr.
Sunday, May 27th, 1934 - Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021
Hugh Lawson Wickham Jr. was a man of faith and integrity who loved his family well, gave generously, served selflessly and laughed contagiously. He was born on May 27,1934 to Hugh and Jewel Wickham in Dallas, Texas. They moved to the country that later became Irving when Hugh was three years old. He attended Union Bower Elementary school through the 8th grade. The school had four teachers and each teacher taught two grades. Since there was no high school in his district, he chose to attend W. H. Adamson High School in Dallas. He enjoyed the activities in ROTC, Camp Dallas and serving as a motion picture operator in a local theatre. Though not a scholarly student, he did maintain a record of perfect attendance through his high school graduation. After several years attending Texas A&M, Hugh began his professional career at Taylor Publishing Company working in the accounting department. He was a pioneer in the early adaptation of computing devices in the workplace. At Taylor he implemented one of IBM’s earliest computing systems where he first used punched card processing and machine board wiring, later acquiring computer programming skills which enabled a lifelong career. He was computer programmer for NASA during the Mercury Program. He worked for a consulting firm that developed software for the Life Insurance industry and spent the last 25 years of his career as a consultant to life insurance companies.
As a result he flew over 3 million miles on American Airlines. He was a very generous person and especially enjoyed giving away frequent flyer miles to family and friends.
Hugh was raised in the First Baptist Church of Irving, Texas and accepted Christ as his savior at an early age. In 1954 he moved his church letter to First Baptist Church (FBC) of Dallas. There he made some lifelong friends and met his wife, Sue. They were married in June 1961 and raised three children Darren, Devin and Deanna. He spent the rest of his life serving in various capacities at FBC Dallas. Hugh was ordained a deacon by Dr. W. A. Criswell. He served as a 4th grade Sunday school teacher for 20 years, as minister of the day and as a founding member of the Pastor Prayer Partner group (started by Dr. Robert Jeffress). He also enjoyed taking mission trips to the Rio Grande Valley serving on missions teams for over 15 years as the chef. He served as a bus driver for the Good Shepherd mission and the ESL ministry at FBC Dallas transporting students. He was an active member of the Pathfinders Bible Sunday School class at the FBC Dallas for 25 years.
Hugh transitioned gently into retirement from his consulting career increasing days spent golfing, hunting and watching grandkids in all manner of activities while reducing the time spent navigating busy airports. He immensely enjoyed the camaraderie of his FBC Dallas hunting friends on the Central Texas deer lease for over 20 years. He rarely missed any of the grandkids’ activities. He carefully planned attendance at high school golf tournaments for Caleb and Benjamin, volleyball games for Gloria and attended almost every musical concert where Jared performed.
He was a proud Texas A&M Aggie! He thoroughly enjoyed his daughter Deanna’s college years at his alma mater. Hugh never missed a home game at Kyle Field during 5 football seasons and remembered every “Aggie yell”. He and Sue even travelled to Hawaii for a season opener (unfortunately without his Aggie daughter).
June 24th marked the 60th wedding anniversary of Hugh and Sue.
Hugh is survived by his wife, Sue, son, Darren and his wife, Melissa of Dallas, son, Devin and his wife, Sara of Irving. Their son, Benjamin in Fort Benning, Georgia and daughter, Gloria of Irving. His daughter, Deanna and her husband, Stan Sanders of Irving and their son, Caleb of Euless and son, Jared in Evanston, Illinois. Brother Kenneth and sister-in-law Diane Wickham of Irving. Nieces, Katrina Mason of Irving and Kenita Dougharty of Orange, Texas. Brother-in-law Ben Rucker of Eden, Texas. And niece, Debra Brown of Lubbock and nephew, Clay Rucker of Eden.
Memorial gifts in honor of Hugh may be made to: Mission Aviation Fellowship
https://maf.org/missionaries/white/
To View the tribute video For Mr. Hugh Wickham Please Click Here:
https://vimeo.com/567121895/562965414a
©Browns Memorial Funeral Home
Sunday, May 27th, 1934 - Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021
Hugh Lawson Wickham Jr. was a man of faith and integrity who loved his family well, gave generously, served selflessly and laughed contagiously. He was born on May 27,1934 to Hugh and Jewel Wickham in Dallas, Texas. They moved to the country that later became Irving when Hugh was three years old. He attended Union Bower Elementary school through the 8th grade. The school had four teachers and each teacher taught two grades. Since there was no high school in his district, he chose to attend W. H. Adamson High School in Dallas. He enjoyed the activities in ROTC, Camp Dallas and serving as a motion picture operator in a local theatre. Though not a scholarly student, he did maintain a record of perfect attendance through his high school graduation. After several years attending Texas A&M, Hugh began his professional career at Taylor Publishing Company working in the accounting department. He was a pioneer in the early adaptation of computing devices in the workplace. At Taylor he implemented one of IBM’s earliest computing systems where he first used punched card processing and machine board wiring, later acquiring computer programming skills which enabled a lifelong career. He was computer programmer for NASA during the Mercury Program. He worked for a consulting firm that developed software for the Life Insurance industry and spent the last 25 years of his career as a consultant to life insurance companies.
As a result he flew over 3 million miles on American Airlines. He was a very generous person and especially enjoyed giving away frequent flyer miles to family and friends.
Hugh was raised in the First Baptist Church of Irving, Texas and accepted Christ as his savior at an early age. In 1954 he moved his church letter to First Baptist Church (FBC) of Dallas. There he made some lifelong friends and met his wife, Sue. They were married in June 1961 and raised three children Darren, Devin and Deanna. He spent the rest of his life serving in various capacities at FBC Dallas. Hugh was ordained a deacon by Dr. W. A. Criswell. He served as a 4th grade Sunday school teacher for 20 years, as minister of the day and as a founding member of the Pastor Prayer Partner group (started by Dr. Robert Jeffress). He also enjoyed taking mission trips to the Rio Grande Valley serving on missions teams for over 15 years as the chef. He served as a bus driver for the Good Shepherd mission and the ESL ministry at FBC Dallas transporting students. He was an active member of the Pathfinders Bible Sunday School class at the FBC Dallas for 25 years.
Hugh transitioned gently into retirement from his consulting career increasing days spent golfing, hunting and watching grandkids in all manner of activities while reducing the time spent navigating busy airports. He immensely enjoyed the camaraderie of his FBC Dallas hunting friends on the Central Texas deer lease for over 20 years. He rarely missed any of the grandkids’ activities. He carefully planned attendance at high school golf tournaments for Caleb and Benjamin, volleyball games for Gloria and attended almost every musical concert where Jared performed.
He was a proud Texas A&M Aggie! He thoroughly enjoyed his daughter Deanna’s college years at his alma mater. Hugh never missed a home game at Kyle Field during 5 football seasons and remembered every “Aggie yell”. He and Sue even travelled to Hawaii for a season opener (unfortunately without his Aggie daughter).
June 24th marked the 60th wedding anniversary of Hugh and Sue.
Hugh is survived by his wife, Sue, son, Darren and his wife, Melissa of Dallas, son, Devin and his wife, Sara of Irving. Their son, Benjamin in Fort Benning, Georgia and daughter, Gloria of Irving. His daughter, Deanna and her husband, Stan Sanders of Irving and their son, Caleb of Euless and son, Jared in Evanston, Illinois. Brother Kenneth and sister-in-law Diane Wickham of Irving. Nieces, Katrina Mason of Irving and Kenita Dougharty of Orange, Texas. Brother-in-law Ben Rucker of Eden, Texas. And niece, Debra Brown of Lubbock and nephew, Clay Rucker of Eden.
Memorial gifts in honor of Hugh may be made to: Mission Aviation Fellowship
https://maf.org/missionaries/white/
To View the tribute video For Mr. Hugh Wickham Please Click Here:
https://vimeo.com/567121895/562965414a
©Browns Memorial Funeral Home
505 George Bush Drive
College Station, TX 77840
(979) 845-7514
When Aggies see a need, their energy and their selflessness draw others into the cause, and good things happen.
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