Gordon Bickham, Sr.

Gordon Keith Bickham, Sr, passed peacefully into the arms of his loving Savior on December 9, 2018, in the presence of family. Born Gordon Keith Bickham on Texas Independence Day, March 2nd, 1929 in Robstown, Texas, to Mary Alice (Humphries) and Joseph Charles Bickham, Gordon was a son of South Texas. Living all of his 89 years on his family's land in the Calallen area, Gordon was born, grew up, lived a full life, raised a family, and will be buried, all within about 5 miles of where he was born. As a child, he worked the dairy behind his home and enjoyed spending time hunting, fishing and camping with his dad, brothers, cousins and uncles on the Nueces River. After graduating from Calallen High in 1946, he attended Texas A&I for several semesters, often hitchhiking to his Engineering classes. He was soon smitten by a young brown-eyed girl named Peggy Ann Lisemby, and they were married on Sept 4, 1954 at Central Baptist Church in Robstown. The couple settled in Calallen, built a home where they resided for nearly 62 years, and raised a family among relatives and lifelong friends. Gordon made a career as a plant operator in the gas fields, working 17 years for South-Tex Corporation and another 26 years for Houston Natural Gas (later Enron). He was proud of the fact that he put 3 children through college on the salary of a plant operator without incurring any debt. Gordon was never one to sit still for long and he had many activities in his life. He raised birds for many years and ran a small business, Bickham’s Reloads, where he reloaded ammo and performed gunsmithing jobs for family and friends. He loved woodworking, especially refinishing and bringing out the grain of a nice gun stock or piece of furniture. Gordon was an excellent marksman as well, winning several rifle shooting competitions at local clubs. He enjoyed traveling, and never failed to take his family on interesting trips every year to see the nation’s wonders. These pilgrimages continued long after his children were grown, eventually including grandchildren as well. Gordon had a passion for the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing with family and friends. Whether in his preferred habitat in the brush country of South Texas, the Texas hill country, wide open West Texas, the mountains of New Mexico, or the plains and plateaus of Wyoming, Gordon was an accomplished pursuer of many varieties of game animals, both large and small. In his retirement years, he spent many days on the water casting a line with his brother Carl. His trophies are a testament to the skill and dedication Gordon brought to his hunting and fishing activities. However, it was more than just the chase as he would take any and every opportunity to hunt or fish with his children and grandchildren as well as his father, brother, and a host of cousins and friends. Gordon knew this was a multi-generational bonding opportunity and a family legacy to be shared. He enjoyed passing down the stories and traditions that he learned from his family to the next generation. Gordon was a longtime member of the Highway 44 Church of Christ in Robstown and a tremendous example of a Christian man. He served as an elder in that congregation for over 43 years. He was diligent in his love for the Lord, always trying to set a proper example for not only his children, but those around him as well. He never wanted anything he said or did to be a stumbling block for others. He was truly, a good and faithful servant. Gordon is survived by 2 sons, Keith (Kimberly) Bickham of Spring, TX, and Duane (Susan) Bickham of Friendswood, TX; siblings, Roger (Tatiana) Bickham of Purvis MS, and Nancy (Allan) Gregorcyk of Richmond, TX; sister-in-law, Sue Bickham of Calallen, TX; brother-in-law, Frank (Donna) Fritz of Rockwall, TX; 9 grandchildren, Amber (Bob) Erickson of San Antonio, TX, Charlie (Idalia), Cody (Amanda) & Chance Wakefield of San Antonio, TX, Kaitlin (Brian) Cannon of Rogers, AR, Joseph Keith (Bevin) Bickham of San Antonio, TX, Karch Bickham of Spring, TX, and Hannah and Zeke Bickham of Friendswood, TX; and 2 great grandchildren, Cayden Erickson of San Antonio, TX and Abigail Cannon of Rogers, AR. He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Bickham; a daughter, Ruby Wakefield; his parents Mary and Joe Bickham; and a beloved brother, Carl Bickham. Pallbearers will be Charlie, Cody & Chance Wakefield, Joseph Keith, Karch and Zeke Bickham. Honorary pallbearers will be Amber Erickson, Kaitlin Cannon, and Hannah Bickham. Visitation will be held Thursday, December 20, 2018 from 6-8 PM at Sawyer-George Funeral Home, 12497 Leopard St, Corpus Christi, TX 78410. Funeral services will be Friday, December 21, 2018 at 10 AM, at Highway 44 Church of Christ, 301 West Avenue J., Robstown, TX 78380 with burial to follow at Robstown Memorial Park on FM 1889. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Highway 44 Church of Christ or the NRA Whittington Center [ www.nrawc.org ]. The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to caregivers Jody Martinez, Roxanne Mathis, and Yvonne Arriaga. Their comfort, compassion, and caring during Gordon's last year is a credit to their profession.