Raymond L. Hickam

Raymond Lee Hickam, age 54, of Pomona, Illinois passed away Monday, April 1, 2024, at Integrity Healthcare of Cobden. He was born December 20, 1969, to Donald and Virgina (Hicks) Hickam in Murphysboro, Illinois. Raymond is survived by his parents, siblings, Lonnie (Kim) Hickam, Sharon Smith (Wade), Lisa (Jesse) Lowe, and Nancy (Junior) Bailey, special nephew/best friend Jesse Hubbard who helped take great care of Raymond the past couple of years, his stepchildren Summer, Colt, and Dalton and his four step-grandchildren, other nephews and nieces, great-nephews and nieces uncles, aunts, cousins, so many friends and his dog Duke.

Raymond is preceded in death by his grandparents, Aubrey and Lydia Hickam and Lonnie and Mary Hicks, infant sister Loretta Lynn Hickam, uncles, aunts, cousins, and his dog Bocephus.

Raymond graduated from Murphysboro High School in 1988 then enlisted in the US Marines, proudly serving his country for six years. He was a very hard worker, working as a roofer, carpenter, logger and concrete worker over the years. He even continued to work in the concrete field after his stage-four cancer diagnosis, outworking younger guys and being one of his boss’s best workers! His work ethic was topnotch!

Raymond purchased a sawmill last year and was so proud of this accomplishment. His desire was to take pieces of rough wood and turn them into beautiful creations. He sold some of his creations through his small hobby business that he named “Beautiful Creations Unveiled by Raymond.” Those who have a piece of his beautiful creations are blessed to have a work of art, lovingly handcrafted with his skillful hands.

Raymond had repented of his sins and had given his heart to God. As he had been studying God’s Word, he was being transformed from a rough piece of “wood” to a beautiful creation that was being gently and lovingly handcrafted and “unveiled” by the Creator of the Universe. Raymond had greatly desired to one day go to churches and tell how God had seen him through his days of cancer. Since he is no longer here to do that, his family wants you to know that God lovingly saw Raymond through some very difficult days, giving him more years that we originally thought he would be given. His family thinks that it was very fitting that he pass away on April Fool’s Day, being a jokester, enjoying a good laugh and pulling pranks on family and friends.

He truly was one of the friendliest guys a person could meet, never meeting a stranger that he didn’t soon get acquainted with. Raymond loved nature, being outdoors, hunting for mushrooms, going fishing, and envisioning, designing, then creating his wonderful wooden masterpieces.  His family members miss him terribly but are so thankful for the great memories each have of him.

Our family wants to give special recognition and thanks to nephew Jesse Hubbard for being a best friend, chauffeur, and caretaker to Raymond in the past couple of years.   Jesse, we greatly appreciate your kindness and friendship to your uncle Raymond during these difficult years.

The family is planning a memorial service/celebration of life that will be held at the Pomona Town Hall in Pomona, Illinois on Friday, April 5, 2024 at 4:00 PM for family, 5:00 PM for friends and family, a remembrance service at 6:00 PM with Reverend Eric Hanson presiding, and a time of food and fellowship following, as it was his wish for us all to gather together to remember him and enjoy some of his favorite foods. All of Raymond’s family and friends are invited to join us to remember and celebrate the precious person that he was, as he is one that was loved by many.