Obituary of Clarence Errol Bickham

Clarence Bickham, 86, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, passed on April 12, 2021.Clarence�was born on August 23, 1934 in Hammond, Louisiana, the son�of Richard Bickham and Martha (Alexander) Bickham.Clarence joined the U.S. Air Force shortly after high school and served as an airman for almost thirty years. After retiring from the Air Force, he continued working for several years as a civil servant at the USAFA.In 1958, he married Laurence Blondeau of Quebec, Canada. They settled in Colorado Springs where they raised four kids and remained happily married until her death in 1997.In his younger days, one of Clarence's favorite pastimes was bowling. He participated in several local leagues and amassed an impressive collection of trophies. He loved listening to jazz records on his old-fashioned turntable and playing Yahtzee and cards with family and friends. He also enjoyed writing and was very proud of the time he spent as a staff writer for the Colorado Springs Gazette.Clarence was a kindhearted, funny and infinitely patient man. He was a loyal friend and loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed.In addition to his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by his son, Juan.He is survived by his son, Pierre Bickham and his wife, Brenda of Macomb, Michigan; his daughter, Martine Ward of San Jose, California; his daughter, Julie Abizaid and her husband, Richard of Arlington, Virginia; one brother, Harold Bickham and his wife, Rosemary of Indianapolis, Indiana; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; many cousins, nieces and nephews; and countless friends.Memorial Service, 4:30PM, Thursday, May 20, 2021, The Springs Funeral Services-North, 6575 Oakwood Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80923, with his cousin, the Rev. Dr. Jewel A. Simmons officiating.A private Graveside Service will be held at 2:30PM, Friday, May 21, 2021.Both the Memorial and Graveside Services will be streamed live. The link to watch is located under Clarence's obituary in the events section on The Springs Funeral Services website. Events Memorial Service Thursday, May 20, 2021 4:30PM The Springs Funeral Services - North 6575 Oakwood Blvd. Colorado Springs, CO 80923 Phone: 719-207-8611 Graveside Friday, May 21, 2021 2:30PM Private Service - Live Stream Available Webcast Colorado Springs, CO 80909