THOMAS HICKEY

Thomas “Tom” Joseph Hickey passed away Wednesday. Oct. 19, 2016. He was born Jan. 4, 1930, in Omaha, Neb., to John S. and Ann Hickey (nee Donovan). He was raised and educated in Nebraska and was a graduate of the University of Omaha, with a degree in education. He served our country as a member of the U. S. Army and fought in the Korean War. He was the recipient of the National Defense Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Although his birth place was Nebraska, he was a true Nevadan at heart. Tom spent his adult life making Nevada a better place to live. He devoted over 22 years to the State of Nevada as a legislator. From 1973 to 1982, he served in the Nevada Assembly and from 1983 to 1994, he served in the Nevada Senate. During his tenure he introduced and gained passage of legislation on a variety of issues, including education programs for children, veteran’s affairs and criminal justice. After leaving the legislature, he was appointed to the Taxi Cab Authority Board and served two terms. Tom was a founding member of the North Las Vegas Elks and just received his 50-year service award. He was also a founding member of the North Las Vegas Lions Club and the North Las Vegas VFW. Tom loved the beauty of Nevada’s landscapes and fought for its preservation. He formed the Citizens for Active Management of the Frenchman-Sunrise Area Committee, a group that is still active today. The Great Uncomformity site, by the road to Lake Mead, and areas of Las Vegas Bearpaw Poppy are just a few of the properties protected in this area. Tom with his wife, Liliam, led the community in a successful campaign to name Sunrise High School. Tom was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, James Hickey. He leaves behind his wife, of 35 years, Liliam Lujan Hickey; three daughters, Liliam (Homer) Shell, Silvia (Gordon) Walsh and Mary Hickey; one son, Rick A. Lujan; three grandchildren; six greatgrandchildren; and special friends the family, William and Jean Curran. Memorial Mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 14, at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church, 1840 N. Bruce St, N. Las Vegas. Military honors and a committal service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday Nov. 15, at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Veterans Memorial Drive, Boulder City. The family requests that memorial donations be sent to Liliam Lujan Hickey Elementary School, 2450 N. Hollywood Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89156.