Oxford – Charles Lee Fickbohm, 91, a longtime resident of Cranberry Lake, NY, husband of Beverly, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, April 19, 2021 at Oxford, MS. Mr. Fickbohm has spent his winter months next door to his daughter outside Oxford, MS for the past 16 years. Lee was born in Utica, NY on February 22, 1930, the son of Charles Henry and Mildred Lester Fickbohm. When he was one year old his family moved to Boonville, NY to help his grandmother, Myrtle Lester, after her husband Ray passed away. He spent the rest of his childhood in Boonville. He graduated from Boonville Central High School, and from Oswego State Teachers College, before earning a Master of Science later while he worked as a teacher. In 1954 Mr. Fickbohm entered the service in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed in Germany during much of his enlistment. Mr. Fickbohm was honorably discharged in 1956 with the rank of Staff Sargent. On November 21, 1956 Lee was united in marriage to the love of his life Beverly Beckingham, at Jordanville Federated Church, Jordanville, NY; this was a loving union which lasted 64 years. Lee enjoyed a long teaching career, mainly at Lowville Academy and Central School where he spent most of his years teaching Earth Science, before retiring in 1985. At his retirement he and Beverly moved to their home on Cranberry Lake, NY that Lee had built himself over the years after purchasing the land in 1963. Cranberry Lake was his favorite place on earth and where he was happiest. Lee was a member of St. Andrew’s Methodist Church, Oxford MS and Childwold Presbyterian Church just outside of Cranberry Lake, NY.
Second to his love for his wife, Lee loved everything about the natural world and had a passion for hunting and fishing. He was a member of the Pine Pond Hunting Club, outside of Tupper Lake, NY, for over 30 years. He raised his family to have a deep love of the outdoors, for reading and with the desire to always be learning something new. He was known as a quiet man with a sharp wit and funny sense of humor. He was blessed to travel widely to amazing places ranging from the sights of Europe, to the great natural wonders of America like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, Alaska, the redwoods of California, the canyons of Utah, and so many more.
Lee is survived by his wife of 64 years, Beverly, by three daughters, Linda Fickbohm (Mark Somer) Huntington, VT, Ronna Fickbohm (Jeff Willis) Tucson, AZ, Caren (Mark) Briscoe, Oxford, MS, and by one son Eric (Jill) Fickbohm, Owasco, NY. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Ben (Valentina) Greenberg, Phoenix, AZ, Matthew (Dayka) Briscoe, Oxford MS and Katrina (Daniel) Hart, Olive Branch, MS; great grandchildren, Emilia Greenberg, Micah Briscoe and Thomas Hart. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Interment will be in the Cranberry Lake Cemetery.
