On January 10, 2019

Jerry Hickory, 71

Jerry Laurence Hickory, 71, died Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018, at the Veteran’s Hospital in Tampa, Florida. Hickory was born in Bethel. He was born to Phyllis Howard Hickory and Harold Hickory on Sept.5, 1947.  He grew up in Bridgewater and graduated from Woodstock Union High School.  Jerry Hickory and his family moved to Tampa, Florida, in 1989. He met the love of his life, Judy Spangler, by writing letters to one another while he was in the Marines.  They were married on April 10, 1971.  They had three children, Tara (husband John), Corey (wife Becky) and Heather (husband Lee).  They were blessed to adopt two more children, Nyah and Jaeden, that they had cared for through foster care.

Hickory was a foster dad for more than 13 years as he and Judy fostered and loved more than 30 children that needed care and loving. He loved being a father and a grandfather and a foster father for all of his children.

Jerry Hickory is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and a great grandchild.  He is also survived by his siblings; Darlene Griggs (husband Bob) of Bridgewater, Audrey Birney (husband George) of Orlando, Robert Hickory (wife Linda) of West Rutland and Jay Hickory (wife Mona) of Killington, and many nieces and nephews.

There will be a memorial service at Seaglass Church in Apollo Beach, Florida,  on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019, at 3:30 p.m. His ashes will be spread in the summer in Vermont where his parents are buried.

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

Pride in Rutland: Flags, resistance, and showing up

June 25, 2025
By Emily Pratt Slatin Pride returned to downtown Rutland this June with more color, noise, and purpose than ever before. What began as a joyful celebration quickly became something deeper—something that felt like resistance. And belonging. And a promise that no one in this community has to stand alone. The day kicked off with the…

Plan to manage 72,000 acres of the Telephone Gap project is finalized

June 25, 2025
Staff report The U.S. Forest Service issued its final plan for managing 72,000 acres of public and private land on June 16. The proposed Telephone Gap Integrated Resource Project area is located on the Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF) within the towns of Brandon, Chittenden, Goshen, Killington, Mendon, Pittsfield, Pittsford, and Stockbridge. “The Telephone Gap project is…

Hot air balloons took flight over Quechee

June 25, 2025
By James Kent This past weekend, June 21-22, people came from all over New England to participate in the 45th annual Hot Air Balloon Festival. Music, food, games, and fun were available for all ages throughout the weekend, but the main attraction was the hot air balloons. And for those looking to see these gigantic,…

Killington residents push for skate park as town reimagines recreation future 

June 25, 2025
By Greta Solsaa/VTDigger As Killington celebrates the 50th anniversary of its recreation center, some residents are pushing to make a skate park a new permanent fixture of the town’s summer offerings.  The town crafted its recreation master plan to holistically determine how to best use its resources to serve residents in the future, Recreation Department Director Emily Hudson…