The Texas Ranger Law Enforcement Association (TRLEA) wishes to honor the memory of three former Texas Rangers who have recently passed away:
Leo G. Hickman, who at the time of his retirement was the oldest active Ranger, passed away Sunday, February 9, 2014 in Childress at the age of 85. Funeral services were held Feb. 13 at Childress Church of Christ.
Leo joined the Texas Department of Public Safety in 1956; he was a fourth generation law enforcement officer, and always aspired to be a Texas Ranger. He fulfilled that dream in 1971, joining Company “C” in Childress. He loved his job, and was an excellent marksman.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Billye Hickman of Childress; daughters Kay Hubbard and Jan Wrzesinski and son Jay Hickman; and seven grandchildren.
Donations can be made in Ranger Hickman’s honor to Childress Regional Medical Center Hospice at P.O. Box 1030, Childress, TX, 79201; or to the Former Texas Rangers Foundation at P.O. Box 3195, Fredericksburg, TX, 78624.
Lloyd Johnson, 85, retired Company “B” Texas Ranger Sulphur Springs, passed away Saturday, March 1. Services were held Thursday, March 6, at West Oak Funeral Home, with burial at the Richland Cemetery near Sulphur Springs.
Survivors include his wife, Jo Ann.
And Retired Texas Ranger Sgt. Jesse J. Priest Jr. of Company “E” Midland passed away Saturday, May 10, at the age of 84.
A memorial service was held Wednesday, May 14 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch in Midland, and a second memorial service was to have been held Saturday, May 17 at the Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home in Burnet, Texas, with internment at Post Mountain Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife Barbara.
TRLEA has also received word of the recent passing of Billie Polansky Autrey, wife of Retired Ranger Norman Autrey. Ranger Autrey was first stationed in Company “E” in Brownwood, and he and Billie were residents of Caldwell at the time of her death.
There was no information as to funeral arrangements.