Hickman

Larry Wallace Hickman, 88, of Emlenton, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, July 17, 2025.

Born April 5, 1937, on a small farm near Kennerdell, Pa., Larry was the eldest child of Harry and Eleanore (Vorous) Hickman. At age 4, his brother, Ron, and sister, Rita, were born, and shortly after, the family moved to Lisbon, Pa., where his father founded a small sawmill — what would become Hickman Lumber. It was there Larry was raised and where his love for the woods began.

Much of his early life was spent outdoors, mentored by his grandfather Vorous and his uncle, Wilbur Hickman — both skilled outdoorsmen. Larry’s lifelong passion for hunting, fishing, trapping and forest stewardship was born in those early years exploring the Pennsylvania woods. Many of Larry’s children’s and grandchildren’s best memories are of being with him in the woods.

He graduated from Emlenton High School in 1955, where he was voted prom king. He then attended and graduated from the National Hardwood Lumber Association’s Hardwood Inspection School in Memphis, Tenn. After returning home, he worked as a lumber inspector for several companies and ultimately began working with his father full-time at Hickman Lumber. At the time, the company was just Harry, Larry and one other man.

Larry’s vision and dedication helped grow the sawmill and expand its land holdings. He was especially proud of the company’s commitment to sustainable forestry — Hickman Lumber was the first in Pennsylvania to become FSC certified, and auditors to this day continue to praise the regeneration and health of the Hickman-managed forests.

On March 14, 1959, Larry married Gayle (Ritts) at Evangelical Reformed Church in Lamartine. The couple welcomed their first child, Denny, in 1960 and moved to Seneca, Pa., where they bought their first home. Also in 1960, Larry joined the U.S. Army Reserve and earned distinction as a member of the National Champion handgun team.

Larry and Gayle welcomed their daughter, Lauren, in 1965, followed by daughter Amy in 1967. Together, they raised their family with love, humor and a deep respect for hard work and nature. He was an incredibly proud husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

In his later years, Larry and Gayle enjoyed traveling and spending winters on Marco Island, Fla. He was grateful for his many memorable hunting and fishing trips with great friends, great “trophies” and, even more importantly, great stories.

Larry remained engaged with Hickman Lumber long after retirement. His son, Denny, later joined him in the business and went on to help establish Allegheny Mountain Hardwood Flooring, which has made flooring for countless museums, homes and prestigious government buildings across the country. The family has been featured on national TV shows such as “This Old House” and had an article about the family business in The Wall Street Journal. Larry was proud that his grandchildren, Jake and Jessica, joined and are active in the business, making it to four generations.

Larry was a founding member of the Hardwood Lumberman Manufacturing Association, now Pennsylvania Forest Products Association (PFPA) and an outspoken advocate for the lumber industry and responsible timber management. His legacy lives on through the forests he cared for, the business he helped build and the family he loved so deeply.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Gayle; his two children, Denny (Jane Barber) Hickman, of Emlenton, Pa., and Amy Hickman of Arvada, Colo.; and son-in-law, Pat Best. Larry and Gayle were so proud of their nine grandchildren, Jake (Kendall) Hickman, Jessica (Josh) Fresch, Cassidy Best, Annie (Dustin) Swartfager, Melissa Hickman, Nathan (Danni) Best, Elaine Best, Max Hickman and Ben Hickman. They also have been blessed with 13 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and close friends.

In addition to his parents, Larry was preceded in death by a daughter, Lauren Best; a great-grandson, Andrew Wallace Swartfager; a sister, Rita (Jean) Wilmouth of Pittsburgh; and brother, Ronald Hickman.

HICKMAN — Friends of Larry Wallace Hickman, who died Thursday, July 17, 2025, will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 20, at HILE FUNERAL HOME, 1204 Kerr Ave., Emlenton.

A funeral service to celebrate Larry’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 21, at Emlenton United Methodist Church with the Rev. Gene Lenk, church pastor, officiating.

Military honors will be accorded by members of the V.E.T.S. Honor Guard of Franklin at 10:45 a.m. Monday at the church.

Interment will follow in Emlenton Cemetery.

The family would love to have donations made in Larry’s honor to the Boys and Girls Club Along the Allegheny, P.O. Box 2, Emlenton, The Emlenton United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 721, Emlenton, or the Emlenton Fire Department, P.O. Box 371, Emlenton, PA 16373.

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.