John W. Wickham

John W Wickham, Businessman and College Lecturer

John W Wickham, age 88 of Denver, Colorado died peacefully on January 26, 2023 at Cherrelyn Healthcare Center, Littleton, Colorado. His remains were cremated and no service is planned at this time.

The son of Wilbur Harrison (Harry) Wickham and Neva Marie Oxley Wickham, he was born July 27, 1934 in Des Moines, Iowa and moved to Colorado in 1960. He served four years in the United States Airforce during the Korean Conflict. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa and a master’s degree from the University of Denver, and continued postgraduate studies at the University of Chicago and at Harvard University.

Mr. Wickham was a Beta Gamma Signa scholar, and founder and president of two Colorado corporations. During his early career he was an auditor at Deloitte and Touche, Certified Public Accountants, then vice president and comptroller of the American National Bank of Denver, vice president and treasurer of Columbia Savings & Loan of Denver, and vice president and treasurer, corporate systems and finance, of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Denver. He was also a visiting lecturer and adjunct professor, at Pepperdine University, Malibu, California, at Nova University, Ft Lauderdale, Florida and at the Metropolitan State College of Denver, among other schools, serving others in this way for approximately 40 years. Mr. Wickham was a Past President of the National Association of Accountants, and the Tax Executives’ Institute, both of Denver, and a past member of may other professional and civic organizations, including the Financial Executives Institute.

In 1962 he was the first kidney transplant patient of renowned surgeon, Dr. Thomas Starzel of Denver and Philadelphia, and reportedly the longest surviving kidney transplant recipient at the time of his death. His identical twin brother James H Wickham was his courageous and generous kidney-transplant donor.

He is survived by Judy G Dahl, Littleton, Co, his co-vivant for 36 years. Two daughters, Kimberly Sansevere of Mississippi and Belinda Wickham Yeo of California and families of nephews, nieces and cousins in different parts of the United States. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, James Wickham, his sister, Jane Fowler; and sisters, Jessie Marie and Sarah, who died in infancy. 

John’s final resting place will be the Fort Logan National Cemetery, 4400 W Kenyon Ave, Denver CO 80236. The service will be on July 19, 2024 at 12:30 pm. There will be a gathering prior to the military honors ceremony at Heflebower Funeral and Cremation Services at 10:30 am, 8955 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Ste 100, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. Please no flowers, just your presence would be deeply appreciated.