Rodger Neil Hickerson

Rodger Neil Hickerson was born July 2, 1993, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Rodger and Kim Wright Hickerson. When he was 2 years old, his family moved to Ozark County to be nearer his maternal grandparents, Russell and LaRane Crisp Wright of Zanoni.
He gave his life to Christ in 2004 after attending a Christmas play at his Grandma Mar's church in Kansas City.
Rodger died Monday, March 3, due to an accidental fall in his family's home. He was 14.
He is survived by his parents and his brother, grandmothers LaRane Wright of Zanoni and Marlena Dee Hickerson of Raytown, grandfather Rodger Hickerson and step-grandmother Cynthia Hickerson of Overland Park, Kansas; great grandmothers Marie Crisp of Gainesville, Bessie Simpson of Independence, and Edith Hickerson of Overland Park; one uncle Russell Wright Jr. of Gainesville; special aunt Peggy Lyons and her husband Rob of Gainesville; cousin Robert Crisp and his wife Krista and their children Alex and Riley Ann; and his three best friends, Nolan Collins, Zachery Henthorne and Cody Tilley of Dora.
He was proceeded in death by his grandfather Russell Wright and great grandfathers George Hickerson, Jewell Simpson, Hayes Crisp, and Oris Thompson.
Rodger was best known for his bright smile, his fondness for trendy clothes, his love for hanging out with his three best friends, listening to music on his iPod, and his devotion to his family. He also loved the New England Patriots, even though his dad was a chiefs fan.
He appreciated the things his parents did for him, and enjoyed being with his family. He was also close to his schoolmates. He and more than half of his 25 eighth-grade classmates started preschool together at Dora. Rodger played on the elementary and middle-school basketball teams, was a member of the chess club and for ten years had loved riding Joel Smith's bus to and from school.
He and his best friends Cody, Nolan, and Zachery, spent every possible minute together.
For the past year or so, Rodger had worked weekends at the Gainesville Subway Shop, where he and his mother had become part of another family that included Rodger's grandmother LaRane, and other co-workers who become close friends.
Rodger was saving his paychecks and gift money to buy an old muscle car that he and his dad could work on together and fix it up in time for his 16th birthday. Rodger' savings account at First Home Savings Bank is now being designated as his memorial fund. His family hopes it can be used to help start a golf team at Dora School, something Rodger had been wishing for. Contributions may be made at the bank, at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home or sent to the family at HC 78 Box 193 Zanoni, Mo. 65784.