Phillip Gordon Hickman

Phillip Gordon Hickman, age 76, was born in Fayetteville, NC on April 15, 1944.  He was the son of the late Martha Hickman Sellers of Rock Hill and Earl Hickman of Santa Rosa, California.  He was also preceded in death by his special parents Margaret & Alton King of Florence, SC.  Mr. Hickman died October 27, 2020.

He was a lifelong resident of Florence, SC.  He attended Florence public schools, graduating from McClenaghan High School in 1962 where he lettered numerous times in All State basketball and baseball.  A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Mr. Hickman played freshman baseball and basketball prior to signing a professional baseball contract with the San Francisco Giants.  A Vietnam Era Navy Veteran, Mr. Hickman was stationed in Charleston, SC and Jacksonville, Florida.  He was a graduate of the USC and USC Law School, later working for the Richland County Attorney’s Office.  He later returned to Florence to work in his family’s business, Coleman’s BBQ Sauce. He continued to be a great sports fan, especially USC and the Atlanta Braves.  He coached girls’ softball for several years and supported girls’ junior tennis.

He is survived by his wife, Deborah C. Hickman, daughter Sarah M. Hickman, step daughters Kelly Kirkley Burgin and Ellis Kirkley, half sister Gene Baston of Rock Hill, half brother John Sellers of Charlotte, NC, half sister Mimi Lopez and half brother Raymond Hickman of Santa Rosa, CA.  He also left behind his beloved pet, Kitten. 

Memorial donations may be made to McLeod Hospice of Florence.

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