George Hickman, a longtime and respected usher at University of Washington and Seahawks games, has died.
Hickman died over the weekend, according to the UW Athletics Department. He was 88-years-old.
Hickman was one of the last living Tuskegee Airmen, the first black pilots to fly for the U.S. military during World War II.
"Things will be a little different right before we go out on the court not being able to shake the hand of George Hickman," tweeted UW men's basketball coach Lorenzo Romar. "He was one of the most inspirational men that I have ever met."
"George Hickman will be missed. He represented the UW and the Tuskegee Airmen with class. I will always appreciate how he treated my family," added UW football coach Steve Sarkisian.
Hickman moved to Seattle in 1955 and worked at Boeing.
Fans grew to know Hickman in the stands at UW football, basketball, softball and soccer games, eventually joining the Seahawks staff as well.
Last season, Hickman raised the "12th Man Flag" at a Seahawks game.
In February of this year, Hickman and his fellow Tuskegee Airmen were honored at Tyee Park Elementary School.
He attended the inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2009.
