Hubert “Bert” L. Kiker, Jr., 82 years of Spring Hill, Tennessee, passed away on July 7, 2026, in Columbia, Tennessee with his loving family by his side. He fought a hard battle with cancer and lived through it with great strength and courage. His faith in God never wavered and remained the foundation of his life.
Bert was born on July 28, 1943, in San Angelo, Texas, to Hubert Lester Kiker, Sr. and Mary Wynell Self.
He graduated from Lubbock High School in Lubbock, Texas, where he was a member of the ROTC, and later graduated from Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in business.
His love of travel began after high school when his parents gave him a choice between paying for college or sending him on a trip abroad. He chose a 30-day Baylor University Middle East Tour, held in conjunction with the Baptist World Youth Congress, traveling through 16 countries across Europe and the Middle East, an experience that inspired a lifelong passion for exploring the world.
On May 24, 1979, he married Georgianna Welinoff in his father’s backyard in Lubbock. Together they blended their family with Georgianna’s two children, Teri, age 10, and Colby, age 8. Their daughter, Gretchen Wynell, later completed their family.
Faith and serving others were important to Bert throughout his life. While attending Texas Tech, he was active in the Baptist Student Union, serving the local community. After moving from Azle, Texas, to Middle Tennessee in 2014, he became actively involved in local missions at Thompson Station Church, leading Operation Christmas Child and the Both Hands Project while faithfully serving in many behind-the-scenes ministry roles.
Bert spent much of his career as a manufacturer’s sales representative for Dunkin-Lewis, selling hunting and fishing equipment throughout Texas and the Southeast. He genuinely loved sales and took great pride in the work he did.
Bert loved cheering for his favorite teams, especially alongside his daughter, Gretchen, who began attending Texas Rangers games with him at just six years old. He also passed on his love for Texas Tech University to both Teri and Gretchen, creating a family tradition of cheering on the Red Raiders. He and Gretchen have shared football season tickets for 19 years, attending games together every fall.
He also loved hunting and valued the time it gave him to be with family, whether at the deer lease with his son, Colby, or duck hunting with his son-in-law, Ryan.
Bert was preceded in death by his parents; his nephew, Jason Auten; his mother-in-law, Johanna Welinoff; and his dear friends, Dean and Sandy Faucett.
Bert leaves behind his loving wife of 47 years, Georgianna Welinoff Kiker; his daughter, Teri Cockrell (Ryan) Froman; his son, Colby (Sharon) Cockrell; and his daughter, Gretchen Kiker. He was a proud grandfather to Maxim and Mia Froman; Chance (Kristen) Cockrell, Ashtyn Cockrell, and Travis Cockrell; and Christin (Gunnar) Warmbold, Jenny (Steve) Womack, and Michelle (Jon) Schaefle. Through Colby and Sharon’s family, Bert was also blessed with 16 great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his beloved sister, Judy (Jimmie) Auten; her children, James (Julie) Auten and Jon (Misty) Auten; and their children.
A visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, at Thompson Station Church, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 11:00 a.m., officiated by Pastor Larry Mims. The church is located at 2604 Thompson Station Road East, Thompson’s Station, TN 37179. Both the visitation and service will be held in the Worship Center (Building B). Family and friends are invited to join the family for lunch immediately following the service in Room A120.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Thompson Station Church’s Missions: Hope 1:17 ministry, which serves orphans and widows, a mission that was especially close to Bert’s heart. Give – Thompson Station Church – Online Giving
The family of Bert Kiker wishes to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Dhulipala, Dr. Hassan, Dr. Gardner, Christy Cone, NP, and the many nurses and staff at Tennessee Oncology, Williamson Medical Center, Maury Regional Medical Center, and Compassus for the exceptional care, compassion, and kindness they showed Bert and our family.
