Obituary

June 9, 1942 – January 31, 2017

Paul loved Lola and married young and embarked on an adventure of a lifetime.  After obtaining a dual major in Milling Science and Business Administration at Kansas State University, Paul served as an Army pilot in Vietnam.  He was one of the mostly decorated pilots in Vietnam: recipient of two Distinguished Flying Crosses; The Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star; and numerous other medals and accolades.   After serving his country in active duty for three years, 11 months and 28 days Paul was released and began his milling career at Nebraska Consolidated Milling, the forerunner to Con Agra, Inc. in Omaha. In 1972 he was transferred to Pennsylvania where Con Agra was converting old cement mills to flour mills and grain storage.  Shortly after completing their family with the birth of their fourth child, Ann-Marie, Paul accepted a position with Seaboard Allied and moved with his family to Liberia, West Africa, where Paul was the managing director of Life Flour Mill for three years.    Paul established a program to teach undernourished inhabitants how to bake bread in mud ovens using the flour made in Paul’s mill.

After returning to the United States Paul ran a new flour mill in Baton Rouge, LA.  In 1979, he accepted a position with Peavey Company. Paul was told if he worked for two years in one of two tough-to-operate union plants he would have his pick of locations.  He selected the union plant in Buffalo, NY and developed a great working relationship with the Grain Millers Union and the Longshoremen.  In 1981 he was promoted to construction engineer at the Tolleson landmark flour mill and then worked for the Borden Pasta Plant that was built next to the flour mill.  He was instrumental in developing the local agricultural economy and was a member of the Estrella Rotary Club for a decade.  His entrepreneurial spirit led Paul into other business endeavors, many of which benefited Arizona’s economy.

Approximately eight years ago, Paul was diagnosed with cancer and decided it was time to write his book, Head Hunter 19 A.K.A. Eagle Eye.  Published in 2016, the personal account and human story is full of detail and vivid anecdotes of his experience as a Bird Dog Forward Air Controller in the Viet Nam War.

Family, friends, nurses, doctors and strangers appreciated Paul’s wit and humor.  Paul is survived by his wife Lola (Best) Hickert, daughter Ann-Marie Hickert and fiancé Kenny Ellsworth, son Paul Hickert and wife Sarah, daughter Angela Horner and husband Michael, and daughter Celeste Furey and husband Christopher.  Paul has 10 grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.  Paul was one of eleven children and preceded in death by Barney Hickert (Tucky), Rita and Findley Law, John Browne (Ruth), Rachel and Joe Mindrup, Rosemary (Marvin) Lewis, Walter Lees (Roberta). Surviving brothers, sister, and their spouses include Jay and Leota, Ruth Hickert Browne, Urban and Judy, Louis and Elvira, Regina and Garold Wasinger and Roberta Hickert Lees.

Services will be held Friday, February 3, 2017 at Thompson Funeral Chapel in Goodyear, AZ.  Viewing is from 1:00 P.M.to 2:00 P.M.  Funeral services led by Rev Kim Gladding, begin at 2:00 P.M. with taps and military honors

Military burial will be in the National Memorial Cemetery, Phoenix, Arizona Monday, February 6, 2017.

Donations received will be given to Silver Lining Riding which provides horseback riding for therapy for children and adults who have autism or other health issues. It is a beautiful thing to see the joy horses bring to their lives.