1940
Gary
2011
Gary "Sonny" Brant Bickham, Sr.
August 29, 1940 — May 24, 2011
A memorial service celebrating the life of Gary Bickham, Sr., 70, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, 2011 in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home, Rayville, LA. Officiating the service will be Father Mark Watson and Bro. Raymond Perrin. A visitation will be held on Saturday at the funeral home from 12:00 p.m. until service time.
Gary was born on August 29, 1940 in Atlanta, TX to Brant and Addie Mae Bickham. He passed away on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 in West Monroe, LA following a long and heroic battle with vascular disease.
As a young man, “Sonny” was an All-Star football player for Atlanta High School in Atlanta, TX and had many opportunities and prospects for a future in sports but chose to pursue a career in the healthcare industry. Gary truly believed and respected loyalty as one of the greatest virtues. He exhibited this by his service in the United States Air Force during both the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War.
He loved each of his six sons with all his heart and continued to nurture and counsel them well into their adult years. Gary was a very intelligent, insightful and successful entrepreneur. He began his career as assistant administrator of Willis-Knighton Hospitals in Shreveport, LA, where he designed Virginia Hall Nursing Home. Gary then moved forward and opened many businesses in Rayville, LA. He was a professional and an expert in healthcare administration and played a substantial role in quality healthcare in Richland Parish for 40 years. He served as administrator and CEO of the Richland Parish Hospitals in both Rayville and Delhi and was very instrumental in the expansion projects of both facilities during his tenure. He also built and served as administrator and CEO of the Rayville Guest House overseeing major expansions through his tenure.
“Mister” Bickham was at all times known as an advocate for quality healthcare with a special focus for those patients whom had few assets with which to attain the proper care they needed. He served on the Board of Directors for the Rayville Council on Aging and was a fierce advocate for dignity in geriatric care. Gary never met a stranger and never turned anyone away who sought his counsel or expertise.
Preceding “Sonny” in death were his parents and three sisters.
Left to cherish beautiful memories of “Sonny” are his six sons, Gary Brant Bickham, Jr., Steven Bickham, Cmdr. Lonnie Hosea, U.S. Navy, Dr. Stephen Hosea, Dr. Greg Bickham and Ben Bickham; 6 grandchildren; one sister, Vicki Mayence; one aunt, Sybil Johnson; two nephews, Brant Bennett and Robert Mayence, III and one great niece, Rachael Niblett. Gary is also survived by many relatives, friends and colleagues.
He will be missed by all the members of his family. He will be especially missed by his six sons, whom he loved very much. He brought “His Boys” into any conversation with his many friends and colleagues.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com
Gary was born on August 29, 1940 in Atlanta, TX to Brant and Addie Mae Bickham. He passed away on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 in West Monroe, LA following a long and heroic battle with vascular disease.
As a young man, “Sonny” was an All-Star football player for Atlanta High School in Atlanta, TX and had many opportunities and prospects for a future in sports but chose to pursue a career in the healthcare industry. Gary truly believed and respected loyalty as one of the greatest virtues. He exhibited this by his service in the United States Air Force during both the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War.
He loved each of his six sons with all his heart and continued to nurture and counsel them well into their adult years. Gary was a very intelligent, insightful and successful entrepreneur. He began his career as assistant administrator of Willis-Knighton Hospitals in Shreveport, LA, where he designed Virginia Hall Nursing Home. Gary then moved forward and opened many businesses in Rayville, LA. He was a professional and an expert in healthcare administration and played a substantial role in quality healthcare in Richland Parish for 40 years. He served as administrator and CEO of the Richland Parish Hospitals in both Rayville and Delhi and was very instrumental in the expansion projects of both facilities during his tenure. He also built and served as administrator and CEO of the Rayville Guest House overseeing major expansions through his tenure.
“Mister” Bickham was at all times known as an advocate for quality healthcare with a special focus for those patients whom had few assets with which to attain the proper care they needed. He served on the Board of Directors for the Rayville Council on Aging and was a fierce advocate for dignity in geriatric care. Gary never met a stranger and never turned anyone away who sought his counsel or expertise.
Preceding “Sonny” in death were his parents and three sisters.
Left to cherish beautiful memories of “Sonny” are his six sons, Gary Brant Bickham, Jr., Steven Bickham, Cmdr. Lonnie Hosea, U.S. Navy, Dr. Stephen Hosea, Dr. Greg Bickham and Ben Bickham; 6 grandchildren; one sister, Vicki Mayence; one aunt, Sybil Johnson; two nephews, Brant Bennett and Robert Mayence, III and one great niece, Rachael Niblett. Gary is also survived by many relatives, friends and colleagues.
He will be missed by all the members of his family. He will be especially missed by his six sons, whom he loved very much. He brought “His Boys” into any conversation with his many friends and colleagues.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gary "Sonny" Brant Bickham, Sr., please visit our flower store.
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