Obituary: Craig A. Hickenbotham
Craig Alan Hickenbotham, 60, died Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, at his home in Bigfork.
He was born Jan. 24, 1950, in Aberdeen, S.D., to Donald and Grace Hickenbotham. He graduated from Davis High School in Kaysville, Utah, in 1968. Craig served in the U.S. Army until 1971 when he was honorably discharged with a medal for being a sharpshooter.
Craig married June Williams on Aug. 5, 1972, in Phillip, S.D. They moved to Hardin to fulfill Craig’s lifelong dream of being a cowboy. He then attended Montana State University and learned the trade of horseshoeing that he used for many years.
His love of cowboying and country moved them many times until they finally settled in Bigfork. They later divorced but remained friends. He worked as a packer for Glacier National Park and after 26 years he found himself retired. He was a hard working cowboy, however, and the “textbook” idea of retiring was not for him. He continued to run his ranch and farm with all the love and passion for the lifestyle he had always cherished.
Craig enjoyed hunting, horseback riding, music festivals, cowboy poetry, singing new country and spending all the time he could with friends and family. He was a member of the NRA.
Craig will be deeply missed by his family and friends who loved him dearly.
He is survived by his children, Jennifer Roberts (Jay) of Meridian, Idaho, Carmen Hickenbotham (Stuart Fillingim) of Kalispell, and Cody Hickenbotham of Boise, Idaho; four grandchildren, Riley and Conner Roberts and Timbre-Lynn and Sheyenne Fillingim, as well as his sisters Mary Kay Robinson, Deborah (Craig) Bybee and Charleen Hickenbotham, and many nieces and nephews. He was also survived by his important longtime companion, Jean Ervin.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father and his older brother, Damien (Chuck) Hickenbotham.
Mass of Christian burial was celebrated for Craig on Friday, Oct. 22, at Pope John Paul II Catholic Church in Bigfork.
Johnson–Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Craig’s family. Visit www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Craig’s guest book, offer condolences and share memories.