Dr. Harold R. Hickman

Our brilliant, talented father never stopped learning, teaching, and exploring horizons. Dr. Harold R ‘Hal’ Hickman, 90, of St. George, Utah, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 26, 2024. 

Hal was born August 18,1933 to Samuel Gerald Hickman and Alta Griffiths in Milford, Utah.  In 1937, his family moved to Beaver, Utah, where his parents established a home where generations to come would make memories and call home. As the fourth of five children, Hal was always close to his siblings throughout his life.

It was in Beaver High School that he discovered his love for music, acting, sports and broadcasting through the high school radio station KBCS. But it was in biology class as a junior that he discovered his greatest, eternal love: Joan Parkinson (1935 – 2022). After their high school graduations, they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple and in their hearts forever.

Soon after, Hal began his academic pursuits. In 1955, Hal started attending the University of Utah where he also worked part time at KUED-TV. He graduated there with his MFA in 1960 and started his career in instructional television. Later Hal received his PhD at Brigham Young University. Finally, he took a ‘temporary’ position at Northern Arizona University in 1977, only to remain there 20 years and become Chairman of the NAU Speech and Communications Department and retired with Professor Emeritus status in 1997. However, one of his biggest professional accomplishments was to purchase KONY, a small AM country station in southern Utah and built it into the highest billing station in St. George, Logan, Idaho Falls, and Wyoming that is still on air to this day. Hal also started the KONY Coins for Kids charity that helps hundreds of underprivileged children at Christmas each year.

Hal expressed his art in many ways. He played the piano daily and painted landscapes. He loved to showcase his tenor voice in choirs and barbershop quartets. Hal spent a lot of time in a theater, both in the audience and the stage. He performed, directed, and wrote numerous plays throughout most of his life which were often showcased in summer productions in his hometown of Beaver, Utah. 

Most of all, he loved to laugh, talk, and play with his family. We will miss his wit and strength.  

Our family expresses our sincere gratitude for the countless staff at St. George Regional Hospital for their hard work and comfort during his last days.

He is reuniting beyond the veil with his beloved wife Joan and his son Gerald Todd Hickman along with his parents and siblings that preceded him in death.

Hal leaves behind a brother Bill Hickman along with his children Tracy (Laura) Hickman of South Jordan, Utah; Jana (Gerald) Hickman of Phoenix, Arizona; Kimberly (Kerry) Kimzey of Washington, Utah; and KariLynne (Garrin) McGlinn of Gilbert, Arizona as well as 15 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff Street, St. George, Utah on April 13, 2024, at 10:00am.

 Interment will be at the Mountain View Cemetery in Beaver, Utah.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454.

Family and friends are invited to sign Harold’s online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com