Leonard Clem Wickman

Leonard Clem Wickman, 85, of McKinney, Texas and formerly of Dubuque, Iowa, died Wednesday, March 2, 2017.

He was born Leonard Wichman on August 15, 1931 in Farley, Iowa to Ed Wichman and Annie Ennis Wichman.

During high school, at the height of Townball popularity, Leonard began playing Town Team Baseball. He played primarily for the Farley Flyers but was often paid to play tournaments for other Iowa teams. His love of baseball extended to his love for the Chicago Cubs.

During the Korean War, Specialist 4 Leonard Wickman was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. While on leave, February 17, 1953, he went back to Farley to marry Audry Rose Meis who was the love of his life for 61 years until her death. Following his honorable discharge from the US Army, Leonard and Audry returned to Iowa to raise their family in Dubuque. Townball had lost its popularity so Leonard switched to fast pitch softball and began supplementing his income with a full time job at the Dubuque Packing Company. He remained at the Dubuque Pack for more than 30 years until his retirement.

Leonard and Audry enjoyed a wonderful social life in Dubuque with weekends full of dinners and dancing and playing cards with dear friends. They built and managed apartments, were very active in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and raised three sons and a daughter. Leonard’s work ethic was unmatched and his success in life stemmed from his willingness to work hard and tirelessly. Even though his work life often extended beyond 16 hours a day, he insured that there was time for family and church.

After retirement, Leonard enjoyed golf with his friends, eating out with Audry, card clubs and spending time with his children and grandchildren in Texas. He had a passion for his backyard birds and wildlife. Leonard especially enjoyed his dog, Lil’ Girl. Following Audry’s death, Leonard and Lil’ Girl moved to McKinney where they resided with Lynn and Oscar Garcia, Leonard’s daughter and son-in-law.

Leonard is survived by four children; Terrance Joseph (Diana) Wickman of Garland, Texas, Lynn Marie Wickman (Oscar) Garcia of McKinney, Texas, Randy Edward (Ronda) Wickman of McKinney, Texas and Roger Leonard (Heather) Wickman of Denton, Texas; six grandchildren, Terrance Joseph Wickman, Jr, John Rhodes Wickman, Savana Kennedy Wickman, Siena Rose Wickman, Seth Edward Wickman and Boone Kennedy Wickman; and a sister, Dolores Wichman Murray of East Dubuque, Iowa.

A rosary will be said for Leonard on Thursday, March 16, 2017, 6:00 pm -7:00pm at Charles W Smith & Sons Funeral Home, 601 S Tennessee Street, McKinney, TX. A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, March 17, 2017, 9:00 am at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 411 Paula Rd, McKinney, Texas.

Donations to Autism Speaks are welcome at autismspeaks.org/site-wide/dallas.