Johnny’s Obituary Mr. Johnny Hickox, 94, of Waycross died early Friday morning at Memorial Satilla Health after a brief illness. He was born in Waycross to the late John Leon Hickox and Mamie Altman Hickox. From the age of four, he was raised by Noah and Maggie Strickland.
Mr. Hickox served in the United States Army during World War II in the European Theatre. Other than the time he spent overseas during the war, Johnny spent his entire life in the Okefenokee. He worked for the Okefenokee Swamp Park for over thirty years, serving as chief guide and as superintendant of maintenance.
He was often called upon to fulfill other responsibilities, including roles in several motion pictures filmed in the park, such as “Tender Warrior”. He was best known to the public as a swamp chef. Often you would find him making gator tail filets, bear steaks, rattlesnake burgers, wild pig barbecue, swamp mull, fried fish and hushpuppies.
He even made his tea and coffee with swamp water. When visitors would make reservations for all-day trips into the Okefenokee, they would ask for Johnny. Years ago, Johnny took a writer from National Geographic into the swamp, and what became of that excursion was a book entitled “Explore a Spooky Swamp”, which featured Johnny throughout.
He was a skilled carpenter, painter, electrician, plumber, mason and mechanic. He was a former member of the Way of Holiness and was presently a member of Hosanna Church. He was a devoted husband, father, and papa who cherished any time he was able to spend with his family.
He was a great friend to anyone who knew him. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his first wife, Janie Albritton Hickox, four sisters, Thelma Sweat, Rosamae Allen, Goldie Boatright, Mary Lovell, one brother, Billy Hickox and his son-in-law, Keith Holland. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lee Hatfield Hickox of Waycross, his son, Andy Hickox and his wife Rose of Waycross, his daughter, Mamie Holland of Waycross, a step-son, Fred Douglas of Waresboro, two step-daughters, Sybil Moore and her husband Stacey of Waycross, Mary Lee and her husband Jesse of Waycross; four grandchildren, Brian Hickox and his wife Megan of Waycross, Michelle Davis and her husband Stokes of Fernandina Beach, Florida, Donald Holland and his wife Brandy of Waycross, Rachel Long and her husband Mike of Waycross, eight step-grandchildren, Sarah O’Berry, Mary Katherine Moore, Emily Moore, Sean Lee, Holly Lee, Cole Lee, Hannah Lee, Christina Hughes, seven great grandchildren, Emmeline, Cutler, Johnathan, Jimmie, Carli, Lilli, Brayden; one sister, Dollie Gray of Waycross, one sister-in-law, Mamie Sellers of Waycross and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday at Hosanna Church. Burial will follow in High Bluff Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 6-8 p.m., at the Miles-Odum Funeral Home.
All past and present employees of the Okefenokee Swamp Park have been asked to serve as honorary pallbearers and should gather at the church by 1:45 p.m., on Monday. Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www. milesodumfuneralhome.com.
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