Roy A. Hickman

Roy Allen Hickman of Norman was born on April 11, 1933 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Otis Alexander Hickman and Frieda Wilhelmina Theilen. He was given the gift of eternal life at the age of 84 on April 27, 2017.

During Roy’s younger years he lived in Enid, Oklahoma City, and Big Spring, Texas before graduating from Odessa High School in Odessa, Texas, in 1951. Roy was honored by being selected to the Texas All-State Band. He received the El Paso Symphony Scholarship to Texas Western College (UTEP) where he played French horn from 1951-1956 and was involved with the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi (music fraternity), and ROTC (1953-1955). He was used as an extra at Ft. Bliss Army Base while filming the movie, “Take the High Ground.”

In 1955 Roy graduated from Texas Western College with a Bachelor of Music Education degree and began his band directing career. In 1956 he was drafted into the United States Army and served until 1958. He was in basic training at Fort Hood and later trained at Fort Bliss in El Paso. After his training in Texas, Roy was transferred to Germany where he was the band director of the Combat Command “A” Band for 16 months. He took advantage of being overseas and traveled for 40 days touring Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Holland, Copenhagen, London and the World’s Fair in Belgium.

After proudly serving our country, Roy returned to the classroom in El Paso to fulfill his passion for teaching music. From 1958 to 1965 Roy was the band director at the new Bel Air High School in El Paso. He attended Vander Cook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois and received a Master of Music Education degree during the summers of 1959-1962. He returned to the El Paso Symphony playing string bass in 1959 changing back to French horn in 1961 where he joined his future wife, Cretha, in the horn section. They were married in 1964. Roy and Cretha served together as choir director and organist at St. Timothy Lutheran and Our Savior Lutheran Church where they were involved for many years. Later he returned to teaching elementary band at various schools (North Loop, Cadwallader, Loma Terrace, Edgemere, Scotsdale, Eastwood Heights, East Point and Ranchland Hills). From 1971-1975 he served as the band director at the new Eastwood Jr. High. He earned a certification of Administration and Supervision and became the Assistant Principal at Thomas Manor Elementary followed by the same position at Glen Cove and Vista Hills. He also sponsored a chess club in all three schools. Roy played bass in various dance bands on weekends. He retired from Ysleta Schools in 1988 after 31 years of service. In 1992 he brought his family to Norman where he volunteered in his church, schools and many civic organizations.

Roy followed and participated in many sports, especially golf. He bowled, played volley ball and golf on teacher and church leagues. He became a member of the “Hole in One Club” twice. He pursued his love for golf as a marshal at Westwood Golf Course. He continued his passion for music by playing bass guitar with the “Talk of the Town” band.

Roy is survived by his wife of 52 years, Cretha of Norman, two daughters, Crethann Hickman of Dallas, Texas and Caryn Hickman Short and husband Bill of Norman, sister, Dolores Richmond of Odessa, Texas and two grandchildren, Collin and Addison Short. He is preceded in death by his parents: sister, Frances Highsmith; and brother, Darrell Hickman.