John Joseph Bickerest, III's Obituary
John Joseph Bickerest III, lovingly known as Jack, passed away January 24, 2018, at the age of 70 at St. Francis Hospital, Memphis, TN. Jack was born on 3/28/1947 in Louisville, Kentucky, to the late Laverne Mackin Bickerest and the late John Joseph Bickerest II. His older sister, Donna Jean Cox, Stafford, VA, and younger brother, Dennis Paul, Jasper, IN, preceded him in death. He graduated from Southern High School in Louisville. He attended Eastern Kentucky University, William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA, in 1968, Yuba College, CA, in 1970, and Louisville School of Art, 1972 – 1975, earning a B.F.A. in sculpture and printmaking. He served in the United States Air Force from 1968 – 1972, receiving an Honorable Discharge. He was an organic farmer by profession having created Jack’s Farmacy, in Shelby County TN, in 2008. He was involved with Overton Park Farmers Market, Cooper Young Farmers Market, and Memphis Tilth/Bring It Food Hub. Before that he was owner of Bickerest Construction, a home remodeling business. But through all his businesses he was an artist at heart. He loved art of all kinds, but his latest creations were what he called critters that he made mostly from gourds he grew himself. He also made musical kalimbas and drums. His most recent artistic endeavors were eco prints made with plants and natural dyes. Jack loved the outdoors and spent many hours with a group of his friends who called themselves the Warthogs. They participated in running races, marathons, hiking and various other outdoor activities. Jack is survived by his wife of thirty-nine years, Nancy Faye Banks; a daughter, Manda Alayne Townsend; stepdaughters Stacey Ann Hendren and Amy Louise Hendren; 3 grandchildren, Ansley Townsend, Finn Townsend, Wyatt Townsend; and 3 step-grandchildren, Jack Bacon, Mae Bacon and Vaughan Silcox. In honor of Jack’s life and art there is an art show/gathering being planned for later in February. Details to be announced. Jack was an avid believer in grass roots urban farming and would proud to know that people donated in his name. Please make donations to Memphis Tilth: https://www.memphistilth.org/donate/ Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119 (901) 767-8930. “Celebrating Life… Behind the Stone Wall”. Service details and obituary will be posted as soon as they become available.
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