Gerald Francis Hickson

February 29, 1952 - February 8, 2021

Gerry Hickson passed away peacefully in Richland with his family around him on Monday, February 8th, 2021. He was born in Boston, MA on February 29th, 1952. A leap year baby, he celebrated 17 "real" birthdays in his 68 years. Gerry is survived by his wife, Tehea and daughters Cassandra and Tara of Kennewick, WA; his daughter Becky Hickson and grandsons Jack and Ben Dawson of Longmont, CO; his son Jeff Hickson and wife Jeanne, grandsons Abe and Warren of Austin, CO. He is also survived by his older brother Sandy Barnard and wife Betty of NC, cousin Dawnelle Donovan - Copeman and husband John of WA and a large extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Helen Reynolds and Louis Hickson also his brothers Steve Barnard and Louis Hickson. In his life, Gerry traveled from his home state of Massachusetts to Colorado as a young man with a family and then to Washington state in 1992. Gerry truly loved helping people and the comradery of his professional life as a firefighter / paramedic. He also loved teaching paramedicine and made many friends in his work life stretching from Colorado to Washington state. He retired as a Captain from the Hanford Fire Department in 2016 after decades of emergency medicine and fire service. Gerry was a patient, giving, kind and funny man. He loved to make people laugh and enjoyed telling stories of his many adventures. He was perennially optimistic and saw the best in people. He was a true friend and he loved people well. He will be missed greatly.