Eddie “Ronnie” Hickman

Eddie “Ronnie” Hickman, 80, of 215 North Parkwood Avenue, Bartow, Florida, passed away on March 14, 2025. Ronnie was born on October 25, 1944 in Perry, Georgia, to Hubert Emory Hickman and Ruth Gertrude Bragg Hickman. He grew up in Tifton, Georgia, where he was raised on a farm. Ronnie later moved to Arcadia, Florida. Ronnie married Gail Patricia Meyer Hickman on February 7, 1971 (42 days after their very first date), and together they raised their three children, Michael “Dale,” VaLena, and Julia. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who loved his family, church, and community. His family and friends will always remember his love of working in the yard, spending time with family, the Georgia Bulldogs “GO DOGS,” his caring and giving heart, and his hard work ethic. He would often say, “Daylight’s burning.” Ronnie is survived by his wife, Gail, and children, Michael “Dale” Hickman (Amanda), VaLena Tyner (Charles), and Julia Malmquist (Eric), and grandchildren, Christopher Hickman (Missy), Nathan Stadie (Sarah), Destiny Davis (Joseph), Devon Malmquist, Caleb Creech, Peggy Coan (Joshua), Kerissa Snell (Jeremy), Morgan Romano (Alan), Noah Hickman (Candace), Veronica Creech, and Nathanial Tyner. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren Nevaeh, Christopher Jr., Charlee, Aldon, Preston, Ethan, Hazel, Aurelia, Eliza, and two more on the way, Emerson “Emery”, and Ellie. His surviving siblings include Esther “Carol,” Ethel “Carolyn,” and Larry Hubert Hickman. He was preceded in death by his parents Hubert and Gertrude Bragg Hickman, and his siblings William “Ray,” Benjamin “Emory,” Ruth “Laverne.” Sergeant Hickman proudly served in the United States Army. In 1965, he served in the Vietnam War. After coming home from Vietnam, he had a break in service and then enlisted into the Army National Guard in 1971. He retired from military service in November 1991, with a National Defense Service Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal, a Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, a Humanitarian Service Medal, an Army Service Ribbon, a Meritorious Unit Citation, and four Army Reserve Achievement/Commendation Medals. Ronnie also worked for and retired from the Florida Department of Corrections, after 25 years as a Corrections Officer. Following retirement, he worked as a bus driver for the Polk County School District for several years, as well as Polk County Public Transit. Visitation with family and viewing will be held March 22, 2025 from 10 AM to 11 AM, at First Baptist Church of Lake Garfield, at 1170 80 Foot Road, Bartow FL, 33830. The funeral service will be held immediately following from 11 AM to 12 PM. Flowers can be sent to Whidden-McLean Funeral Home at 650 East Main Street, Bartow, Florida 33830. The interment will be at Bushnell National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida, on Monday, March 24, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. Please coordinate with the family if planning to attend. Condolences to family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com