Dr. French E. Hickman

French Earl Hickman, Jr was born to French Earl Hickman, Sr and Christine Frances Hickman (Crisp) in Oklahoma City on July 19, 1931 and entered into eternal rest on December 12, 2019. He lived a full, diverse life. He was raised on a ranch near Minco, Oklahoma, in a house with no indoor bathrooms. He attended East Walnut School for his early education which was, by his history, a one room schoolhouse. He attended Minco High School, graduating in 1949. Because of the distance, he had to board in town during the week. He was active in sports; he was the captain and quarterback of the Minco Bulldogs football team, leading them to the district playoffs his senior year. He also played baseball. Following high school, he attended Oklahoma A&M, now Oklahoma State University, graduating in 1954 with a B.S in Agriculture. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and ROTC. He served in the Army from 1954-56, reaching the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Having learned good aim by shooting flies with a BB gun in the barn growing up, he was a member of the Army Rifle team. After his military service, he attended dental school at the University of Missouri Kansas City, graduating with a Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1961 and was elected to Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the dental honor society. He then specialized in orthodontics at UMKC Orthodontic School and graduated in 1963; he also earned an M.A. in Education during that time.In 1963, he opened his orthodontic practice in Midwest City and continued to practice for more than 50 years; he maintained offices in Midwest City, Shawnee and Oklahoma City. Additionally, he was part time faculty at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry teaching orthodontics to dental and orthodontics students; he was popular with the students and was named "Outstanding Part-time Faculty" by the students in 1984. He enjoyed being an orthodontist because he loved to see patient's (usually teens) excitement and improved confidence when they saw the transformation in their appearance once their teeth were straight. He was very active in professional dental organizations, holding many offices including President of Oklahoma County Dental Association, Oklahoma State Dental Association, Oklahoma State Orthodontic Association, and the Southwest Society of Orthodontists. He served on the Council for Dental Care of the American Dental Association which necessitated his taking regular visits to Chicago during the late 1980's. These visits introduced him to Chicago style blues and the "Blues Harmonica," which captivated his interest and would guide his future hobbies.French had many interests outside of his work which included a love of cars. He raced cars for many years. He would drive with his racing team to racing venues after work on Fridays, race the weekend and drive home Sunday night. He won the Midwest Division Championship of the Sports Car Club of America in 1972. He had a large car collection which included Corvettes, 1957 Thunderbirds, Shelby Mustangs and original Shelby Cobras. He was active in the Shelby Club of Oklahoma; since he had a large yard, he was able to hold "Shelby Meets" at his home - quite a sight with 30+ cars in the yard!He was active in the community serving on the Boards of Midwest National Bank and Nichols Hills Bank. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the Shriners Club. He was active inRotary Club and was President of the Midwest City Rotary Club. He was an early investor in properties in Bricktown and lived on the Bricktown Canal in a loft for several years.For the past 30 years, French E. Hickman has pursued with passion the hobby that was born from his Chicago visits. As night would fall, Dr. Hickman would don black sunglasses with a black fedora, and Doc Blue would emerge, harmonica in hand ready to play the blues! He was inspired to play after seeing a blues harmonica player come into a club in Chicago. He was asked to play with the band, pulled his harmonica out of his pocket, and joined in the set. Following the set, the crowd went wild! The musician talked to a few people, signed a few autographs and left - no heavy instrument bags, no setting up etc. French thought "That guy is cool!" He went out the next day and bought a harmonica, and a lesson book; he took one lesson from a fellow musician. He practiced while driving to and from work. Soon he was playing with local bands and "Doc Blue" was born. He eventually started his own band "Doc Blues Revue." They played at Mamasita's and other local venues, as well as in other cities including Saint Louis. He opened his own club, MoJo's, initially in French Market Mall, later in Bricktown, where he and his band played regularly. He held jam sessions open to all and was always encouraging to young musicians. He also played in the "Molar Band" which he started with other dental musicians from around the country; they played at dental conventions from Canada to Disney World. He loved the "persona" of Doc Blue, and over time Doc Blue emerged at times during the day as well as at night. When someone called, his voice message said "This is Doc Blue; I am taking messages for Dr Hickman. Leave your message; if I think it's important, I'll give it to him!" He was active in the Oklahoma Blues Association and was elected to the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame in 2005.He is survived by his children Peri Hickman Pepmueller (Bill) of Saint Louis, MO; French Earl Hickman III "Trey" (Kristin) of Saint Paul, MN; Todd Spencer Hickman of Edmond, OK; Christine Marie Hickman of Chelsea, MI; and Afton Sky Hickman of Chelsea, MI; and three grandchildren Elizabeth Pepmueller, Charles Hickman and Jack Hickman.French Hickman/Doc Blue loved life, and lived it to the fullest! He was a friend to many and will be missed.Viewing will be at Smith & Kernke, 14624 N May Ave, Oklahoma City, OK, 73134, Friday December 20; family will be present from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. A Celebration of Life Service will be at Smith & Kernke on Saturday December 21 at 10:00 am with interment following in Minco, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, J. Dean Robertson Society at https://dentistry.ouhsc.edu/ or University of Central Oklahoma, Academy of Contemporary Music located in Bricktown ath ttps://www.centralconnection.org/donate, Fund ID S20261.An open jam session and celebration in honor of Doc Blue will be at Mojo's Blues Club, 1 E California, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 Saturday evening.