James E. “Jim” Hickey, 86, of Paducah, Ky., passed away at 10:40 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at Parkview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Jim was a retired Riverboat Pilot and Captain for the Dravo Corp. He was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church. Jim was very passionate about his prison ministry where he served as a volunteer chaplain for the Kentucky State Penitentiary in Eddyville, Ky. He was a member of the Gideons International Association, volunteer for Martha’s Vineyard and taught Sunday school for the River City Mission. Jim was instrumental in starting the morning prayer breakfast at Broadway United Methodist Church. Jim was a retired country gentleman from Cracker Barrel. He served in the Merchant Marine Corps during World War II.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Sara Dunlope Hickey; daughters, Martha Koike and husband Toshio of Troy, Michigan, Sally Ann Woolwine and husband Teddy of Christiansburg, Virginia, Ruth Ann Hook and  husband Lee of Paducah, Ky., Peggy Arima and husband Kiyoshi of Marysville, Ohio, and Carolyn Smith and husband Keith of Paducah, Ky.; grandchildren, Brittiany Vest, Brandon Dublin, Ashley Hook, Ryan Hook, Leann Kersey, Sarah Wodtke, Jonathan Koike, Rachell Koike, Jacob Arima, Eric Arima, Emi Arima, Daniel Smith, and Alliyson Smith; thirteen great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

His parents were Dewey and Ruth Ann Anderson Hickey. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Matthew Smith; one sister, and six brothers.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 28, 2012, at Trinity United Methodist Church with Rev. Kenny Locke and Rev. John Offutt officiating.

Friends may call after 6 p.m. Friday, April 27, 2012, at Milner and Orr Funeral Home of Paducah and after 12 noon Saturday, April 28, 2012, at the Trinity United Methodist Church.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Trinity United Methodist Church, 6125 Blandville Road, Paducah, KY 42001, or The Gideons International Assoc., Paducah East Camp, P.O. Box 8436, Paducah, KY 42002. You may leave a message of sympathy or light a memorial candle at www.milnerandorr.com.