DeWayne Anthony Hickman

Life’s Reflection

DeWayne Hickman, transitioned to eternal life with God on Monday, March 2, 2020, in Overland Park, Kansas.  He was 54 years old. DeWayne was born in Kansas City, KS on April 9, 1965, to parents Urceil and Geraldine Irving Hickman. He was the youngest of two children. His oldest sister Tereada survives to mourn his death.

DeWayne grew up in Kansas City, Kansas.  He accepted Christ at a young age having grown up in the church and was baptized at Community Missionary Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kansas.  He graduated the first African American Valedictorian from Washington High School in Kansas City, Kansas in 1983.  After high school he attended The University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.

DeWayne then attended The University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California where he received a Master of Science degree in Computer Engineering. DeWayne began work for AT&T Bell Labs as a Project Manager and Architect Planner where he worked for 11 years.  DeWayne then joined Sprint in 1996 first serving as an Ernst & Young LLP Director, IT Logistics then Director/Sr. Manager Device Operation for Sprint Corporation from 1997 until the day of his passing.

DeWayne, a man of exceptional character, took pride in his family. He met Julie McCrary. They subsequently married and have shared a blessed life.  DeWayne married Julie in 1996 in Denver, Colorado. They were happily married for over 23 years.

DeWayne is a man of God. He served on the Oak Ridge Missionary Baptist Church Deacon Ministry and served as Director, of the Children and Youth Ministry.  DeWayne was very active serving the Lord throughout his life wherever he resided holding positions such as Church administrator, Sunday school teacher, Trustee, and Youth Counselor. DeWayne also served on two of the University of Kansas Advisory Boards, Diversity/Minority Engineering Program and Engineering.

Dewayne is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

DeWayne enjoyed relaxing at home with his wife, Julie and their two children now in college, Taiya and Chad.  As a family, they enjoyed competitive board games, grilling on the deck with family and friends and new movie releases.  DeWayne truly treasured family time.

DeWayne is a recipient of many honors such as Tau Beta Pi: National Engineering Honor Society; Beta Kappa Nu; National Electrical Engineering Honor Society; Colorado Assoc. of Black Professional Engineers and Scientists (CABPES); Secretary; Member-At-Large and Youth Tutor; SCoRMEBE; Student Council for the Recruiting, Motivating and Educating of Minority Engineers where he served as President; Co-Chairman of Academic Committee; Alumnus of the Year (1990).

Dewayne was preceded in death by his father, Urceil Hickman.  He leaves to cherish his memory, his mother, Geraldine Hickman-Jones; Stepfather, Dr. Thomas Jones; his loving wife, Julie of St. Louis, Missouri; their daughter, Taiya, of Overland Park, Kansas; and their son Charles “Chad” of Overland Park, Kansas; his sister, Tereada (spouse Danny Smith) of Kansas City, Kansas; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.

Memorial donations on behalf of DeWayne Hickman, who survived Stage 4 cancer seventeen years ago, can be made to 
The American Cancer Society, https://donate3.cancer.org/.

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