DR. LUZINE B. BICKHAM, SR.

1923-2021

Dr. Luzine Benjamin Bickham, Sr.

Family Man * Trailblazer * Scholar* Educator * American Hero * Alpha Phi Alpha

Luzine Benjamin Bickham Sr. was born on March 2, 1923, in New Orleans, Louisiana to Ruby Higginbotham and Benjamin Bickham and born oldest of five children. He passed away peacefully on Friday, February 26, 2021 at the age of 97.

During World War II, Dr. Bickham was drafted by the American Armed Forces and was trained as a Tuskegee Airmen, the first Black military aviators in the United States Army Air Field in Alabama. In March 2007, Dr. Bickham was awarded along with other Tuskegee Airmen, the United States Congressional Gold Medal of Honor by President George W. Bush and Congress.

Dr. Bickham began his career as an instructor at Texas Southern University (TSU) in Houston, Texas and eventually served as Dean of the Jesse H. Jones School of Business (1970-79). It was through his vision and leadership that the Jesse H. Jones School of Business secured AACSB accreditation. In May 1999, the 76th Legislative Branch of the Senate of the State of Texas recognized his work ethic and commitment to students and to Texas Southern University, where he served nearly 50 years of loyal service as a phenomenal educator.

Dr. Bickham is survived by his son, Luzine, Jr. (Mary), his daughter, Nedra, who resides in Sweden; his daughter in law Cynthia; his grandsons Luzine, III (Kim), Sean (Keisha), Cody (Sharon), Shane, Binta, and Louis; his great-grandchildren, Julia, Legend, Augustus and Lahli; his sisters, Bennie DeBois of Gary, Indiana, Yvette Pierce of Tuskegee, Alabama; his sister-in-law, Evelyn Williams Clark of Columbus, Ohio; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Due to Covid-19 safety precautions, the funeral services are private. A visitation is planned for Saturday, March 6th at 11:00 am at Pilgrim Congregational United Church Of Christ Church; 3115 Blodgett St, Houston · (713) 528-5321.