Charles Hickey

Charles Hickey, known to friends as "Charlie" is celebrating his eternal life in heaven as he passed away in the loving care of his family September 6, 2017, at the age of 81 years after battling Parkinson's and Multiple Myeloma. Charles is now resting in peace and enjoying God's greatest reward, a place at our Maker's table.

A native of Alice, Texas, Charles was born January 10, 1936, to Perry and Estelle Hickey. Charles graduated from Alice High School in 1954. Charles attended Texas A & I, Kingsville before enlisting in the Army where he served two years as Corporal of the Army in El Paso, Texas before joining the reserves.

On September 1, 1959, he married the love of his life, Signa Kay Shultz. They married in Alice, Texas and moved to Beeville, Texas soon afterwards where they have lived since 1961.

Charles was a young entrepreneur, founding Hickey Air Conditioning in 1961 out of the garage of his family's first home. "Charlie" was a Lennox Dealer serving friends in and around Bee County until 2016. Family and friends will miss waving to Charles as he drove around Beeville in his Lennox branded truck. His humble quiet manor was admired by all. Keeping Beevillians cool in the summers and warm in the winters was a job he took seriously. As we always loved to say, "Atta boy, Charles!", amending and localizing the Lennox motto "Atta boy, Dave!"

Charles led a strong Catholic life, setting an example for his family of four children. Charles received the honors of the Third Degree of the Knights of Columbus in 1963. In typical Hickey fashion, Charles and his family were always running five minutes late to the 11:00 a.m. Sunday Mass, so the front left pew was held in "reserve". The entire parish knew the Hickeys would be in tow, but probably after the opening hymn.

Serving his community, Charles was a member of the Kiwanis Club and was a volunteer firefighter in Beeville for 30 years.

Charles was loved by his family and friends and enjoyed playing in the Beeville Country Club Labor Day Golf Tournament with family and friends, (every year on or around his anniversary), traveling, and attending weekly "prayer" meetings, better known as poker night with the fellows. Charles also relished his time supporting his children and carrying on his support for all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Charles was a son, brother, cousin, husband, father, uncle, father-in-law, grandfather, great grandfather and friend.

Charles is survived by his wife of 58 years, Kay (Shultz) of Beeville, Texas; daughter, Denise Taylor (Kenneth) of Beeville, Texas; son, Craig Hickey (Kassie) of New Braunfels, Texas; daughter, Melissa Miketinac (Chuck) of San Antonio, Texas; son, Crayton Hickey (Monica) of Lockhart, Texas; brother, Perry X. Hickey, Jr. of Houston, Texas; sister, Imogene Klare of Victoria; 11 grandchildren, Ken (Wendy)Taylor, Myles (Rachel) Taylor, Chelsea Hickey, Christopher Hickey, Emily Miketinac, Brooks Miketinac, Cade Miketinac, Natalie Miketinac, Justin Hickey, Jacob Hickey, Austin Beniston and Ashton Beniston; four great -grandchildren, Kason, Aiden, Cody and Madelyn Taylor; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Perry and Estelle Hickey; his brother, Dennis Hickey and wife Jeanine; his brother-in -law, Clinton Klare; his sister-in-law, Tommy Hickey; his nephew, Michael Klare; his nieces, Polly Devine and Rebecca Klare; and his grandson, Brooks Miketinac.

Charles will be laid to rest by his grandsons serving as pallbearers including Ken Taylor, Myles Taylor, Christopher Hickey, Cade Miketinac, Jacob Hickey, Justin Hickey, Ashton Beniston, and Taylor Osbourn. Honorary pallbearers include Jack Conoly Jr., Johnny Bond, Jim Crumrine, Jessie Garza and Austin Beniston.

Visitation will be held at Galloway Funeral Home on Sunday, September 10, 2017, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the rosary blessing at 7:00 p.m.

A Celebration of Charles' life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 11, 2017, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery

The family would like to thank Exclusive Home Health & Hospice of South Texas for the love and care they gave from their hearts during Charles illness.

Memorial donations in memory of Charles can be made to:

St Jude's Children's Research 510 St Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 1-800-805-5856 https://shop.stjude.org/giftcatalog/donation.com.

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