Texas banking industry mourns iconic banker Pat Hickman

Pat Hickman, who built a Texas community banking brand and a legendary reputation among his peers has passed away.

In 1990, Hickman led a group that bought First State Bank of Happy, with $10 billion in assets and six employees, and grew it into a $7.5 billion dollar bank with nearly 65 locations across Texas. He served as chairman, president and CEO of Happy State Bank until 2020. He then served on the Home Bancshares board after acquiring Happy State Bank in 2022.

Among his many banking and community honors over the years, Pat was a past chairman of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas and appointed member of the Texas Economic Development Corporation Board. He was named a “Citizen of the Year” in his hometown of Canyon in 2008 and was recognized as a Texas Tech Distinguished Alumni honoree in 2022.

“On behalf of members across the state, TBA expresses our deepest sympathy to Pat’s wife, Nancy, their children and grandchildren, as well as his many colleagues and friends who loved him,” said chair Jan Mills. “He lived a life that blessed others.”