Senate Concurrent Resolution 586

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE CAREER AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF FORMER STATE SENATOR, CIRCUIT JUDGE AND WORLD WAR II VETERAN FRED WICKER OF PONTOTOC, MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, former State Senator Thomas Frederick (Fred) Wicker of Pontotoc, Mississippi, retired December 31, 1990, following a legal career of more than 42 years, the last 20 of which were spent as Circuit Judge; and

WHEREAS, a native of Hickory Flat in Benton County, Mississippi, he graduated from Hickory Flat High School, where he was President of his Senior class. He enrolled at Holmes Junior College in September 1941, where he was a member of the football team, remaining in school there until he was drafted into military service in February 1943. Following almost three years of active duty in the Army and Army Air Corps (which included tours in England, France, Belgium and Germany) and where he was a Championship Boxer, he was discharged on January 1, 1946, and immediately returned to Holmes Junior College to resume his education, receiving his diploma in May 1946; and

WHEREAS, entering Ole Miss Law School in June 1946, Wicker served as class President and received his law degree in June 1948. Shortly thereafter, he and his wife, Wordna, moved to Pontotoc where he has resided since that time. He was engaged in the general practice of law until September 1970, during which time he served 12 years as County Prosecuting Attorney, 8 years as Pontotoc City Attorney, and three years as Mississippi State Senator (January 1968 to September 1970) representing the counties of Pontotoc, Union and Benton; and

WHEREAS, on September 1, 1970, he was appointed Circuit Judge of the First Circuit Court District to fill the unexpired term of Judge N.S. Sweat, Jr. He thereafter was elected to the position five times until his retirement; and

WHEREAS, he was married in June 1948 to the former Wordna Threadgill of Big Creek, Calhoun County, Mississippi, who he had met at Holmes Junior College, and who died in March 2004. They have two children, Ellen Wicker Cummings of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Congressman and former State Senator Roger Frederick Wicker of Tupelo, Mississippi, and a foster daughter, Mindy Theile of Canton, Georgia. They have five grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Judge Wicker has been active in the Pontotoc Rotary Club for 57 years, having served as President. He has been named a Paul Harris Fellow. He is a member of American Legion Post 16 in Pontotoc where he has served as Commander, Chairman for Boys State and Girls State and Coach of the American Legion Baseball Team. He is a member of First Baptist Church in Pontotoc where he has served as Chairman of the Deacons, Sunday School teacher and a member of two Pastor search committees. In 1998, he was presented the Distinguished Service Award by Holmes Community College; and

WHEREAS, in retirement, he continues to be active in his community. He is a member of the Pontotoc County Tale Tellers, an avid hunter and annually serves at the Pontotoc Bodock Festival. He continues to teach Sunday School and is an active member of the Rotary Club and American Legion. He has had perfect attendance at the Grand Reunion held annually in the State Senate; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the career of this dedicated public servant, whose legacy lives on in the respect of the members of The Mississippi Bar and the Mississippi Legislature for a well-known practitioner:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the career and public service of former State Senator, Circuit Judge and World War II Veteran, Thomas F. (Fred) Wicker of Pontotoc, Mississippi, and extend to him and his family the best wishes of the Legislature in their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Honorable Fred Wicker and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.