Joe Hickey

John Joseph Hickey (August 22, 1911 – September 22, 1970), known as Joe or J. J. Hickey, was an American judge and politician who served the 24th governor of Wyoming from 1959 to 1961 and as a United States senator from 1961 to 1962. A member of the Democratic party, he later served as a judge on the Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit from 1966 to 1970. He was the first governor of Wyoming to be born in the 20th century.

Early life Joe Hickey was born in Rawlins, Wyoming, on August 22, 1911, to John Joseph Hickey and Brigit O'Meara. John moved to Wyoming in 1873, and was employed by the Union Pacific Railroad. Joe graduated from public school in Rawlins in 1929, and graduated with a law degree from the University of Wyoming College of Law in 1934.

Hickey became chair of the Wyoming Democratic Party in 1954.

Hickey resigned as governor and Secretary of State Jack R. Gage ascended to the position. On January 2, 1961, Gage appointed him to fill the vacancy created by U.S. Senator-elect Keith Thomson's death.

Tenth Circuit He was in private practice of law in Rawlins from 1962 to 1966. Hickey was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson on May 12, 1966, to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit vacated by Judge John Coleman Pickett. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 9, 1966, and received his commission the same day.

Death In July 1970, Hickey was hospitalized for a stomach ulcer and in August he went to the Presbyterian Medical Center in Denver for lung cancer treatment. On September 22, 1970, he died in a Cheyenne hospital. He was buried on September 24, and eulogized by Bishop Hubert Newell.

Electoral history