Clarence Bickham, 86, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, passed on April 12, 2021. Clarence was born on August 23, 1934 in Hammond, LA, the son of Richard Bickham and Martha (Alexander) Bickham.

Clarence joined the US 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 kind hearted, 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 predeceased by his son Juan.

Survivors include his son Pierre Bickham and his wife Brenda of Macomb, MI; his daughter Martine Ward of San Jose, CA; his daughter Julie Abizaid and her husband Richard of Arlington, VA; one brother Harold Bickham and his wife Rosemary of Indianapolis, IN; six grandchildren, three great grandchildren, many cousins, nieces and nephews and countless friends.

A service of remembrance will be held at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 20, 2021 at the Springs Funeral Services Chapel 3115 East Platte Ave., Colorado Spring, CO, 80909, with his cousin, the Rev. Dr. Jewel A. Simmons officiating.

A private memorial service and burial will be held on May 21, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. at Fort Logan National Cemetery 4400 W. Kenyon Ave., Denver CO, 80236