Arlie Bickford, 89, of Lubbock passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at VistaCare Hospice in Lubbock. Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 24, 2009 at 3 p.m. in Resthaven's Abbey Chapel with Dr. John Ballard and Jerry Huggins officiating. Graveside services, featuring military honors, will take place prior to the service at 2:30 p.m. in Resthaven Memorial Park. The family will receive friends this evening from 6 to 8 p.m.

Arlie was born on April 19, 1920 in Oklahoma City, Okla. to the late Arlie M. and Lucy (Long) Bickford. They moved to El Paso in 1921, where he lived until he went into the Air Force. He was stationed at Lubbock Air Field during WWII, where he met and married Mary Elizabeth Austin on November 8, 1942. He went overseas and returned to Lubbock in 1945, where he worked at Reese Air Force Base for 29 years.

Arlie graduated from Ysleta High School in El Paso, attended Texas Tech, and later graduated from a technical school. He was a member of the Downtown Bible Class and First Baptist Church, where he had served over 33 years as a life Deacon. He taught Sunday school in the Children's department for 18 years. Arlie was also a member of the American Legion Post 575 and NARFE.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Beverly Kay Bickford; and two sisters, Nikki Sallee and Frances Stolpher.

Those left to cherish his memories are his wife, Mary E. Bickford of Lubbock; a son, David H. Bickford and wife Elizabeth of Plano; two daughters, Debra Thornton and husband Jimmy of Lubbock and Dana Tocci and husband Gregg of Plano; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

The Downtown Bible Class and Deacons of First Baptist Church will serve as Honorary Pallbearers.

The family suggests memorials to VistaCare Hospice of Lubbock; or the Joe Arrington Cancer Center of Lubbock.

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Sources:  good faith fair use of sources stated above

Compiled, transcribed and submitted by Marti Graham, Oklahoma County, OKGenWeb Coordinator, April, 2013. Information posted for educational purposes for viewers and researchers. The contributor is not related to nor researching any of the above.

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