Roland Hickey

Funeral Service for Roland L. ?Red? Hickey, 73, of Baker, MT will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 12, 2012 in the Chapel of Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker. Interment will follow in Bonnievale Cemetery at Baker. Military Rites will be provided by the Baker American Legion, Fallon Post #35 and the Montana Army National Guard Honor Guard. Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 11th at Stevenson Funeral Home with the family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Cowboy hats would be proper attire for the funeral service and very much appreciated by the family. Red died March 2, 2012, in Apache Junction Arizona where he enjoyed being a “snowbird”. Roland Lowell Hickey was born in Marmarth, ND on October 24, 1938, a son of Roland Dell and Frances Lucille (Williams) Hickey. He was Baptized in the Lutheran Church. Red as he was known grew up in Marmarth where he attended school graduating from Marmarth High School. Following his graduation, Red spent many years working on the Harold Fuchs farm. Red met Jean Marie Chesmore and after a courtship the two were married on October 28, 1961, in Blackfoot, ID and in October of 2011 celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. To this union two sons were born, Brian and Brett. Following their marriage, Red and Jean made their home in Baker, MT where Red worked for the Fallon County Road Department. The Hickey?s spent a couple years in the Gillette, WY area where Red worked in the oilfield. Eventually they returned to Baker where Red and Jean have made their home since. After retuning to Baker, Red opened Reds Boot and Saddle Shop on Main Street in Baker. Along with selling top quality hats and boots, Red created many fine leather pieces including custom saddles, bareback riggings, saddle bronc saddles, belts, purses, billfolds, and a jillion pairs of chaps. Along with his crafted leather works, Red repaired boots, a trade he taught his two sons. During this time he partnered with Gordon Rustad and the two sold Hale stock trailers. Following the death of Sheriff Terry Cameron, Red worked in the Fallon County Sheriff?s Office as Undersheriff, often times responding to calls with a City of Baker patrolman, Don Piesik. Red also drove school bus for his brother Delaine. After a couple of years Red ventured back into the business community where he bought the stock yards from Harry Abrams, renaming it Hickey Yards. Red served as a Deputy State Brand Inspector for many years. Red would again return to the oil patch where he worked at C & M Oilfield Service, for Clayton Graham, Continental Resources and started his own contracting company B & B Construction. Red took great pride in his work and it showed. He was known in the oil patch for his talent for setting pumping units. The Lufkin Company took notice of this and rewarded Red with a trip to Texas, taking him on a fishing expedition. Had they known Red a little better they would have known his mind was on a rodeo in Mesquite during that time! Reds heart and soul was in the rodeo arena, especially during the timed events. Red was one of the founders of the Little Missouri Saddle Club in Marmarth, and never missed a 4th of July rodeo there. Whether it was team roping or hazing for his sons steer wrestling, Red loved being in the arena and enjoyed the many friendships made there. Seeing a young child on a good horse always brought a smile to Reds face. Red loved being around horses, his sons, grandchildren and the many young people who over the years spent many hours in his arena. He enjoyed being able to master his ?ranchy? horses and was proud of his stud horse Doc. Red also enjoyed a good two step. Red was a straight forward man. He was known for having a strong opinion, but you knew where you stood. There was no gray area. Red instilled good work ethics and moral standards in his sons. He was a friend you could count on and you knew he would be there for you no matter what. Red served in the US Army during the Cuban Missile Crises. Red is survived by his wife, Jean Hickey, Baker, MT; his two sons, Brian (Lori) Hickey and Brett Hickey both of Baker, MT; three grandchildren, Jesse Hickey, Savannah Hickey and Alissah Hickey all of Baker, MT; two brothers, Robert D. (Pam) Hickey, Miles City, MT and David (Terry) Hickey, Baker, MT; two sisters, Ramona Lowe, Blackfoot, ID and Jacqualine (Darrel) Rost, Miles City, MT and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roland and Frances Hickey, his sister, Roberta Rost and two brothers, Leland “Dell” Hickey and Donald “Whitey” Hickey.


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