Obituary of Howard James Wickersham, Jr.

Howard James Wickersham Jr., 85, passed away Thursday, August 8, 2019.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Mary Wickersham; and sisters, Dorothy Jennerson, Betty Almquist, Julia Teske and Elizabeth Ann Priddy.  Left to cherish his memory are his devoted wife, Joan Wickersham; loving children, Cathy Gardes, Linda Bates and husband, Rodger, Michelle Sweeney, David Sweeney; brother, John Wickersham; sister, Mary Jane Chappell; grandchildren, Justin Wicker and wife, Mary Catherine, Jessica Sweeney; great grandchildren, Ava and Charlotte; and a host of other family and dear friends.

Jim served his country proudly in the United States Army.  He started his civilian career as a Lineman for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company.  After moving to Houston from Kansas in 1972, “Wicky” retired in 1986 with 30 years of service.  He transferred to Houston to become a part of the SWBT Boomtown Crew whose job it was to ease the six-month backlog of installing “land lines” in Houston area homes.  Jim enjoyed his many years of retirement restoring his Austin Healey and left a legacy of a trusted, big-hearted man who readily helped his family and anyone else through utilizing his uncanny ability to fix almost anything.  It is our spirit and quality of life that starts within the heart, and Jim never met anyone whose day he did not make brighter through laughter.  Jim will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jim’s honor to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org.

Services for Jim will be held Saturday, August 17, 2019 at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, Texas 77581.  The visitation will be held from 10:00 until 11:00 am with the memorial service following at 11:00 am.