Garland Tickemyer

Dr. Garland Elijah Tickemyer, 96, of Independence, MO passed away November 8, 2009 at St. Luke’s East. Dr. Tickemyer was born January 1, 1913, son of George L. Tickemyer and Mary Catherine (Johnson) Tickemyer, in Longwood, MO at the family home. He married Hazel Vernita Roberson in Kansas City, MO on March 6, 1936. Dr. Tickemyer attended school at Marshall High School in Missouri. He went on to obtain a Bachelor of Arts Degree, two Master’s Degrees, and a PhD in Education. He joined the Missouri National Guard at the age of 15 and served for three years. Garland was employed as secretary to the maintenance superintendent for TWA for two years and then left TWA to accept church appointment in June of 1934 with the RLDS/Community of Christ Church for 34 years. He then took a teaching position at Central Missouri State University, in Warrensburg, MO in 1967 and served for 13 years retiring as a full professor. Garland’s work with the Church included numerous assignments such as Assistant to the first Presidency under Fred M. Smith, Pastor of the Stone Church, responsibility for the General Church radio programs which included 7 hours per week of live broadcasts. He served as President of the Los Angeles, Blue Valley and Central Missouri Stakes. In 1959, he became the Church’s first Regional Administrator in Southwest Texas. He also served as President of the High Priests’ Quorum from 1958-1972. He introduced junior camping and primitive camping programs to the Church beginning in 1949, and was responsible for the acquisition of valuable Church camping facilities at Lake Doniphan and Idyllwild. Garland wrote the Charter and served as President of the Independence Area Religious council and was charter President of the Independence Host Lions Club. He also served as the club’s 51st President. Garland was blessed with many talents including a beautiful tenor voice. He sang the tenor solos in over 50 performances of Handel’s Messiah. In the late 40’s and early 50’s Hollywood invited him to do some screen testing however he declined as he felt it would conflict with his Church work. Garland was a person who loved his family and his Church. He enjoyed farming and kept a daily journal throughout his life, which he recently published. As a child Garland noted in his Journal that he used to ride a horse to school named “Chicken” because his father had traded two chickens for her. He was preceded in death by sisters, Odessa and Genevieve; and brothers, Herman and Roy Scotland Tickemyer. He is survived by his wife, Hazel (Roberson) Tickemyer; two sons, Garland “Gary” L. Tickemyer and wife Jean of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho and David Kent Tickemyer and wife Leatta of Warrensburg, Missouri; three grandchildren, Kurt Tickemyer, Krista Ann Tickemyer, Travis Tickemyer; and four great grandchildren. A visitation will be held from 6-8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 13, at the Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, MO. The service celebrating Garland’s life will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 14, at the Suburban Chapel.