Charles "Jake" W. Bickham

SHREVEPORT, LA - Jake passed from this earth, May 31, 2017, at the age of 96. He was born April 17, 1921 in Shreveport, LA, and was one of 13 children born to Alexander Napoleon and Annie Teacle Bickham. He grew up in the Jewella area of Shreveport; graduated from Fair Park High School and attended Louisiana Tech, with a scholarship in basketball and track. He served in the United States Coast Guard and was deployed to the South Pacific, where his unit erected communication towers on five different islands for the battle forces on the way to Japan. Upon discharge, he was employed at Libby Owens Ford Glass Plant and became the Chief Electrician, and later transferred to an allied glass plant in West Virginia and became their Plant Engineer. Upon retirement he returned to Shreveport and was later called back to Libbey Glass and placed in charge of furnace operations. Along the way he married his sweetheart of several years, Marie Shaffer Santigna, and with her came her beloved daughter, Patsy Santigna, both now deceased. Jake is survived by one brother, Jack Bickham and wife, Juanita of Shreveport and several nieces and nephews. He loved sports and was a member of East Ridge Country Club, where his golfing buddies, which included his brother Jack, became his sports family. He was a member of Summer Grove Baptist Church and until his incapacitation, enjoyed the Sunday Morning services and later their home bound visitations. Thanks to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Jake is now in his heavenly rest. The family wishes to thank The Louisiana War Veterans Home, especially Wing 4 for their loving care for the last ten months, along with the Willis-Knighton Health System, and Regional Hospice. A Memorial service for Jake will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at Rose-Neath Southside Chapel.