VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION General Discussions Horrible news - Jim Hickman

I guess I need to post this, with a very heavy heart.

I have just gotten in from Grand Junction this afternoon, and have learned from an email that Jim Hickman was killed in an accident on his way home to Indiana from Grand Junction. His wife is apparently hurt, too, but is at home recovering.

Jim was the winner of "Best of Show - 4 Cyl" at Grand Junction with his beautiful 1920 FB sedan. He was kind enough to bring it down and park it in the Banquet Hall at Grand Junction for us all to see and enjoy during the Banquet Friday.

He was a great guy.

Life isn't fair. I've known Jim Hickman through the VCCA for many years and a nicer fellow you could not meet. I'm truly saddened by this news.

A great loss to mankind. I too have known Jim for many years. Oldie you are correct " a nicer fellow you could not meet" We had a long talk at a VCCA event not long ago about his 20 FB. What an interesting car! I have run into Jim all over at swap meets, He always took the time to stop and talk. I'm saddened yet glad his wife is home recovering. We are all better for having known Jim.

My thoughts go out to the Hickman family and all the friends who will miss Jim Hickman.

Along with this deeply sad news it brings to mind the fragile and uncertain path we are on. The common yet important view for me is, LIVE each day, SHARE your joys and HELP others.

I have always enjoyed the importance of this quote. It continues to remind me of the meaning of life, "It’s not how much time we spend in life that matters. It’s the life we spend during our time."

It appears Jim Hickman lived a full and valuable life.

God Bless the Hickman Family & friends.

Below is the information that appeared in the Anderson Indiana paper today, followed by the Funeral Home information for those who want it.

"Car fanatic dies in car wreck"

… Cars shaped James Hickman’s life. He was a retired Delco Remy research and development lab technician, but most notably, a collector whose antique cars had won numerous awards.
“He’s been tinkering with motors since he was a preteen,” said his son John Hickman. “He was very active in antique cars and later became active in antique motorcycles and outboard engines as well.”
For his reputation as an expert in old cars, he’s even been featured in a number of newspaper articles, John said.
But James Hickman, 75, of Anderson, died in a single-car accident in Kansas Saturday afternoon. He had just won best-in-show for a 1920 Chevrolet, which he had in-tow behind his GMC pickup truck, according to John, who has traveled to Indiana from Bettendorf, Iowa, to attend memorial services and be with his family.
Hickman’s other two sons, Steve Hickman and Jim Hickman, have come from afar also. Steve is from Denver, Colo., and Jim is from El Paso, Texas.
James and his wife, Eleanor, were traveling east on Interstate 70 in Ellis County, Kan., part of a notoriously long and mundane stretch of interstate, when James lost control of his driving and his truck and trailer tumbled down an embankment, according to a Kansas Highway Patrol’s online crash report. He and his wife both were wearing seat belts.
The joy of driving away with the top award … from the 45th Anniversary Meet of the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America … disappeared when James was taken to the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, where doctors confirmed him dead from injuries suffered in the crash.
Eleanor was injured, but only slightly, John said.
Funeral arrangements are pending at Robert D. Loose Funeral Homes & Crematory.

Copyright © 1999-2006 cnhi, inc.

Funeral Home info:

Robert D Loose Funeral Home & Crematory
200 West 53rd Street
Anderson, IN 46013

Phone: (765) 649-5255

Further info -

The Executive Committee has approved and will send an arrangement to the Funeral Home to honor Jim on behalf of the entire Membership of the VCCA.

I have also learned the following from an email from Henry Junkersfeld of the Indiana Region:


Visitation will be from 4-8pm Thursday July 13th.
Services will be Friday July 14th, 10am at:
First United Methodist Church
1215 Jackson St
Anderson IN

Memorial contributions may be made to:
Heart Research Asso., American Cancer Society or
The Christian Center


Don Williams

Very saddened to hear this, I met Jim for the first time at the meet and liked him. Live every minute like it`s your last, It just might be.

My family and I are also very saddened to hear this news. My father and I were both talking about the times that Jim has gone out of his way to help us out.

Most people know Jim recently for his '20 FB, but alot of people will remember his '50 convertible. He earned 23 Preservation Miniatures for this car from mostly Central and Mid-West meets since 1985. He earned more Preservation Mini's than any other person in this club.

Jim will be missed, but I am also glad to hear that Eleanor is recovering at home. He was a great man!!!