Funeral services for Joe Bob Ficklin, 62, of Valley Mills/Cayote, were held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009, with Pastor Laird Duran officiating. Burial was in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery.
Ficklin was born Feb. 24, 1947, in Meridian, to Andrew Evans and Trula Corean Carlson Ficklin.
He became a child of God at his baptism in August 1947, at Moshiem Methodist Church. He was also confirmed there.
He grew up on the family farm at Moshiem and attended and graduated from Valley Mills ISD. He was active in football and the Future Farmers of America. He was also a member of the Valley Mills 4-H Club. He also attended Hill Jr. College on scholarship.
On May 27, 1967, he and Norma Ruth Willmann were united in marriage at Trinity Lutheran Church. To this union three children were born: Arthur Andrew, Karen Annette, and Alinda Ruth. With the help of God they raised their family on their farm in the Cayote community. Ficklin joined Trinity Lutheran Church in 1982, and was a member until his death.
He worked for Lone Star Gas for 24½ years before going to work for Childress Creek Water Supply and CSS Construction. He enjoyed raising polled hereford cattle. He and his wife, Norma, served as secretary-treasurer of the Central Texas Polled Hereford Association for many years. He served on the board of directors of the Childress Creek Water Supply and helped get the system organized and going. He also served on Trinity’s Church Council and did various volunteer yard jobs while his health permitted.
He enjoyed being with his family and enjoyed his grandchildren and their stories, showing cattle, playing softball, hunting, and fire trucks.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Anna Beth Rowe.
Survivors include his wife, Norma, of Valley Mills; son and daughter-in-law, Andy and Carolyn Ficklin of Valley Mills; daughters and sons-in-law, Karen and Darren Hanson of Clifton, and Alinda and Thomas Cox of Jacksboro; grandchildren, Wade and Marti Hanson, and Ashley and Mason Cox; and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers include Clinton Surley, Ken Slagle, Wade Hanson, Gary Parr, Sherry Horn, and Carl Willmann. Honorary pallbearers were Marti Hanson, Ashley Cox, and Mason Cox.
Memorials in loving memory may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery Association, Lutheran Sunset Ministries Hospice, Goodall-Witcher Hospital Foundation, or a charity of choice.
Clifton Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.