Bobbie Dee “Bob” Hickman, Sr., of Compton, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at the age of 87.

The son of William Frank and Pebble Mae (Dillon) Hickman was born November 9, 1938, in Muleshoe, Texas. Bob grew up in Arkansas and moved to Kansas City and also lived in Colorado for a short time before returning to Newton County, where he spent most of his adult life.

He worked at Flexsteel for 33 years and in his younger years, he was a bus driver for Compton Schools. He also milked cows and operated a Dairy Farm for several years. Bob was an active volunteer with several organizations over the years, including the Newton County Fair Board, Harrison Round Up Club, Newton County Round Up Club, and Compton Rural Fire Department. He volunteered with the fire department for over 30 years and was well known for responding to the nightly radio check conducted by 911 as the representative for Compton. He was also a caretaker for Brown Cemetery near Jasper until his health no longer permitted.

A good starting point for sharing some of the story of Bob’s life would be during the year he spent living in Colorado – where he proudly rode around on a Harley and sported a mohawk. He was in his early 20’s and began a history of hard work, working in a local laundry. It was here that he began to hang out with local cowboys, sparking his love of horses and rodeos. This was a passion he brought back to Arkansas. He met Leonra Janette Sims in 1959; he was 21 and she was 16. They were smitten from day one and dated for 6 short months. Despite not being fond of his mohawk, she eagerly agreed to marry him, and they were united in marriage on December 21, 1959.

The love Bob and Janet shared for one another was true love at first sight, once in a lifetime, romance. Romance that never died. They have been devoted to one another for 66 years. Bob and Janet have never stopped showing affection to one another, and their love has become a role model for marriage to everyone in their family and within their community. Together, they raised two sons and spoiled 2 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

In 1965, Bob made one of the most important decisions of his life. He was saved, accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, and being baptized. He was baptized by Carl Martin in Osage Creek and was proud of his faith and decision to become saved.

Bob was a true cowboy. He loved everything about horses and rodeoing. He and Janet rarely missed the local rodeos and play days. He even called in sick to work once so he could ride in the rodeo parade. Unfortunately, that backfired on him, because his photo was snapped by the local newspaper and his picture made the front page of the paper riding his horse when he was supposed to be home sick. His co-workers nicknamed him cowboy, and he was rarely seen without his hat, button up shirt, jeans and boots.

He and Janet rode their horses all over Compton, Ponca and Newton County area. He was frequently called on when a hiker was lost on a trail or injured to help get them out of unfamiliar territory. Over the years, he had many horses, “Ole Son”, the palomino, will always be one of his favorites. He and friends, Curtis and Cletus Clark all had palominos and rode them all over the area together.

Bob was passionate about the Hickman family history and made sure his family knew their story, with the Hickman family settling in the Erbie area in the 1850’s. He was laid back, loved to laugh, and oh, how he loved to visit. Before it closed, Sim’s Short Stop was one of his favorite spots to be. He was happy to visit with his friends and neighbors sharing stories for hours. He could always be counted on to have an ice-cold Pepsi close by.

In addition to his love for horses, Bob also enjoyed watching westerns, COPS, and Swamp People. He frequently traded pick-ups – way more than the average person. You never knew if he was going to town for an errand when he’d return with a different pick-up. He was an avid Arkansas Razorback fan. He loved to listen to and watch basketball and football games every season.

Bob lived a full, happy life, enjoying the simple things and every moment and memory brought about by a simple quiet life. He loved his family fiercely. He was generous and kind. In true cowboy fashion, Bob never changed who he was to impress. He was a loving husband, the best dad and papa – always wanting the grandkids to just have fun and be kids. He was loved by everyone who knew him. He was a remarkable brother, friend, coworker and neighbor. His memory is a treasure and the legacy he leaves behind will be a blessing for generations.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Bobbie Dee Hickman, Jr.; two sisters and their husbands, Frankie and Gary Armer and Peggy and Junior Reavis; his in-laws, Jonah and Gracie Sims; and two brothers-in-law, Harold Wilsey and Gene Sims.

Bob is survived by his wife of 66 years and the love of his life, Janet Hickman; a son and daughter-in-law, Billy and Felicia Hickman; his brother, Lonnie Hickman; his sister, Patsy Wilsey; two grandchildren, Kayla (Terran)Villines and Dee (Rebekah) Hickman; three great grandchildren, Gracie Villines, Nora Villines, and Edee Hickman. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Shirley Sims; two nephews, Joe Reavis and Leon Reavis; and a host of extended relatives and many dear friends.

Visitation will be Monday, August 3 at Coffman Funeral Home in Harrison from 1 PM to 2 PM. A graveside service will follow at 3 PM on Monday, August 3, 2026, at Plumlee Cemetery with Bro. Steve Emerson officiating.

Pallbearers are Leon Reavis, Joe Reavis, Terran Villines, Curtis Clark, Dee Hickman, Larry Martin and Tyler Borland.

Honorary pallbearers are Lonnie Hickman, Glenn Wheeler, Bernie Traxler, Marvin Sims, Sonny Villines, Danny Hickman, and Tim Edgmon.

Memorial donations can be made to Plumlee Cemetery Fund, c/o Marvin Sims, HC 33 Box 103, Compton, AR, 72624.

“…Compton 10-2”