Obit: RIP Big Jim Hickam (5 Sept 2008)

Subject: Obit: RIP BIG JIM HICKAM
From: Jerry66
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 11:35 PM

Dear friends of Jim Hickam: I am sorry to pass the news on that Jim Hickam passsed away this afternoon at the Jackson Manor Nursing Home in Jackson, MO. Jim had a battle with cancer that lasted only a few months. He went down hill fast and finally succumbed today. Judy Domeny Bowen, a folk singing buddy of ours and a good friend of Jim's put it best, "Fly Jim fly!!" I kind of figured that the angel Gabriel, being the consummate musician that he is needed some lessons in playing the guitar in open G tuning, and as many of you know Jim is just the man for that job. Jim will probably be the only one up there playing a G-tuned guitar rather than a harp. Just last week, Jim rcorded a radio show with us. He had to join us by phone since he was too weak to come into the station. If you want to hear Big Jim's last radio show it will air on Southeast Public Radio this Saturday at 7 P.M. and on WEIU radio this Sunday at 9 A.M. If you are out of range , you can listen on either station's web site.

http://www.semo.edu/sepr/programming/local_folkconnection.htm

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP BIG JIM HICKAM
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 11:49 PM

Ahhhhhhh... I've been dreading this news. I had the pleasure of spending time with Jim at two Big Muddy Festivals in Boonville, Missouri, one performing on my own, and once with the Gospel Messengers. Jim was a big man, and he had a big body, too.

My first time at the Big Muddy, I walked into the dining area and intentionally picked out a table where I wanted to eat, chosing one where I didn't know a single person at the table. Jim was one of the people there and when I happened to mention Lonnie Donegan, that was it. Jim loved Lonnie's music and was excited to find a fellow appreciator. By the times that I got home, there was a box from Jim awaiting me with the whole Bear boxed set of Lonnie (9 cassettes) but two or three others when Lonnie was with Chris Barber. From time to time, Jim would send me some other rare Lonnie Donegan recording he'd come across. He was one of the most genereous men I've met, and he'll not be forgotten by myself, or the Gospel Messengers, who he was extremely enthusiastic about.

Sing on, Jim!

And save a place for me...

Jerry

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP BIG JIM HICKAM
From: Art Thieme
Date: 06 Sep 08 - 01:14 AM

I only got to know Jim here at Mudcat but we had some good talks together by Personal Messaging. This is sad news. My condolences to all his friends and were close to him.

And Jerry66, seeingas how you mentioned her, please give my best regards to Judy Domeny Bowen. A lovely voice, that is a pleasure to recall. I wish more knew of her and her music.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP BIG JIM HICKAM
From: Jerry66
Date: 06 Sep 08 - 01:40 AM

I'm sorry. I don't know Judy all to well. I've only had the pleasure of meeting her once; however, I was blessed to have played in several "house" hootenannies with Jim, and always enjoyed his music and loved his stories. He was a wealth of knowledge. I was forwarding this information from an email I received here in Cape Girardeau. I know Jim frequented Mudcat, so I wanted to let folks know.

Cordially,

Jerry Swan, Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Big Jim Hickam (5 Sept 2008)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Sep 08 - 02:54 PM

Click here to see posts from Jim, who used the Mudcat name "Big Jim from Jackson." May he rest in peace.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Big Jim Hickam (5 Sept 2008)
From: Anglo
Date: 07 Sep 08 - 02:26 AM

So sorry to hear this. Jim and I had some enjoyable email conversations, and I had still hoped to be able to get out there and visit.

RIP, Jim.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Big Jim Hickam (5 Sept 2008)
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 12:46 AM

I am very sorry to learn of this. I got a PM from his sister Dorothy informing me of Jim's death.
He and I had become friends a few years ago when we met at a festival in Memphis where I was performing.

He was very knowledgeable about folk music of all kinds, and we hit it off when we discovered that we both liked the Australian performer John Williamson.

One of my fondest memories of Jim is when he came on my tour to N. Ireland last November.

He loved the Giant's Causeway, and just sat on the stones soaking it all in. I have a photo of him with a big smile on his face, the picture of contentment, sitting there absorbing everything - the ocean air, the breeze, the smells, the view. I believe he'd be sitting there yet if we didn't have to go for dinner and a session!

We had a music session in Derry with my friend Declan Forde, and
he joined right in. Jim enjoyed Declan's stuff, and played some of it on his radio show, and the two became friends.

When he asked to borrow my guitar to do his party-piece, I was only too happy to let him tune it to open G and sing away.

He was a big man with a big heart, a magnanimous spirit, a gentle soul, and I for one am honored to have known him.

Rest easy, big fella.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Big Jim Hickam (5 Sept 2008)
From: Big Mick
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 02:00 AM

Very sad news. His voice should be easy to find in those he touched. God be good to him.

Mick

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Big Jim Hickam (5 Sept 2008)
From: GUEST,Declan Forde Ireland
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 07:26 AM

Jim had a beautiful kindred spirit. He was an easy man to be with, a gentleman and what a joy to be in his company, a man you don't meet every day.
Rest in peace

Subject: Obit: Big Jim from Jackson Obituary
From: GUEST,jerry66
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 03:18 AM

James Lester Hickam, 71, of Jackson died Friday, Sept. 5, 2008, at Jackson Manor.

He was born Oct. 10, 1936, in Cape Girardeau, son of Milford Lester and Elsa May Dow Hickam.

Hickam was a 1955 graduate of Central High School and received a bachelor of science in elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University in 1963.

He taught sixth grade at Jefferson School 32 years, retiring in 1996.

Hickam served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959, of which 19 months were spent in Germany. He was a KFVS12 weather watcher and co-host of "Your Folk Connection" on KRCU Radio. He was a member of Missouri Folklore Society, SEMO Astronomy Club, and was active in youth league baseball.

Survivors include a brother, Jon Hickam, and a sister, Dorothy Hickam, both of Jackson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to service time Friday at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at noon Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Janet Hopkins officiating. Burial will be in Old Goshen Cemetery at Oak Ridge.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Big Jim Hickam (5 Sept 2008)
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 04:08 AM

I only knew Jim from Mudcat, but he was so generous spirited and decent that it came across in all his dealings and conversaions with you.

i wish i'd known he'd been over in Ireland, I would have made the trip over just to meet him. a terrific chap.

My condolences to his family and close friends.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Big Jim Hickam (5 Sept 2008)
From: GUEST,Jerry66
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 09:16 AM

Seamus Kennedy,

Jim was just about your biggest fan. Literally. We heard about the good times he had in Ireland with you. I'm so glad Jim had the opportunity to make it over there.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP Big Jim Hickam (5 Sept 2008)
From: GUEST,jerry66
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 09:21 AM

Seamus,

Jim also got me introduced to John Williamson. I sent John an email to let him know. I sure would love to have a copy of Jim sitting on those stones. If you have a copy could you send me one via email?

Thanks.

Jerry in Cape Girardeau.