Joseph Couch Hickerson

Joseph Couch Hickerson, 96, went home peacefully to be with the Lord on the 12th of December, 2012 in Temple, Texas. He and his twin brother Thomas J. were born on December 14, 1915 at home in Rosebud, Texas to Thomas J and Ethel Conner Hickerson.
Joe grew up in Rosebud and graduated from Texas A&M University in 1938 with a degree in Agronomy. He briefly farmed in Rosebud after graduation and then started a life-long career with the Soil Conservation Service and the Department of Agriculture. He proudly served in the Army Artillery during WWII, training recruits in preparation for the war in Europe and helping plan for the future invasion of Japan. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Major.
Joe married Anne Mayfield in 1939 at her family church in San Antonio, Texas. They were happily married for 60 years, producing two children, Jo Ann and Lloyd Douglass. Anne died in an accident in 1999. Joe later remarried in 2003 to Christine Schiller and enjoyed life with her for almost ten years. He is survived by Christine and both his children, Jo Ann and her spouse Jim Dodson, and Lloyd and his spouse Clara. Grandchildren include Eleanor Dodson and Evan Wilcox, Laura and Chuck Spidell, Allen and Laura Hickerson and Michael and Melanie Hickerson. Great grandchildren include Kaylee & Ethan Hickerson, and Zachary & Turner Spidell.
Joe will best be remembered for his positive spirit and giving nature. He was outgoing and never met a stranger.
Visitation was Saturday, December 15 from 1:00 – 2:00 at Cook-Gerngross-Green-Patterson Funeral Home followed by services at 2:30 in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made in Joseph Hickerson’s name to Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center, 115 Mill St. Mail Stop 138, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478. Joe’s brain was donated to this center for Alzheimer’s research.