Probably Sept 2004

I have so many good memories of John, working beside him filling jars of honey at the plant, laughing at how he stored cheese in the mesh of his bee helmet taking a bite in between loading supers on the truck. He would often break out with an old song... 'the shadows were high, and eternity near...' I remember his sheepish grin when we picked on him after he gave us a good one-liner. How we would come to the house and sit at the table until everything was eaten. He had a bottom-less stomach and was still thin as a rail. Going out spot-lighting for rabbits in our front field. Visiting him years later and going fishing at a dam for wall-eye or google-eye or something like that. He and Art were cut from the same back country, can fix anything, heart of gold, truly lovable... I will miss you John Henry 'Calhoon' Hickerson. See you on the other side, Ratz

Our family loved you deeply, John. We are so sad to lose you. See you at the resurrection, my friend.

John, thank you for sharing your knowledge and love of nature with us. Thank you for your good humor when we laughed at your ‘singing’. Thank you for standing in for dad at my wedding when he couldn’t be there. You will be missed. Love, Audie

Uncle John Henry, I wish I could have told you this before you passed on: thank you. Thank you for the fond memories of the arboretum, how you would take me there as a little girl and show me your bluebird boxes. You always let me run wild. You were one of my favorite people, an introspective man who loved nature, and encouraged my own interest in it. I cherish the nature books you gave me, and I remember how you could identify any plant or bird call. You truly made such a positive impact in my life. I still remember how you would stand and laugh as I tried every herb at Blandy Farm, and say I was like a rabbit. And that time I found a small tree frog in the leaves, you were so impressed and said "good eye." You were an awesome man, John Henry, and I will always hold our memories dear. Mom was telling me the other day how you walked her down the aisle and how you were so proud. Well, I'm proud that such a thoughtful and tender hearted man was my uncle. Every time I see a bluebird, I think of you. I'm going to put a bluebird box up in your honor. I love you, and I know you're at peace now. See you on the other side. -Sara

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.