Thomas Winston "Tinker" Hicks

Thomas Winston (Tinker) Hicks

Thomas Winston (Tinker) Hicks, 92, of Bedford, passed away Monday, Oct. 18, 2010. He was born March 18, 1918, in Moneta, son of the late Wesley Peters Hicks and Sallie Holland Hicks.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Vernon Hicks, Byron Hicks and Jack Hicks; his sister, Louise Hicks; his son-in-law, Ralph Kennedy; his grandsons, Stephan Kennedy and Nathan Healy; and his great-grandson, Garrett Aman.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Meda Goode Hicks, whom he met in October 1940, on a blind date. Also surviving are his children, Stephanie Sue Kennedy, of Bedford, Linnette Healy and husband, Hugh, of Upper Marlboro, Md., and Alica Hicks, of Randleman, N.C.; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; his sisters, Eleanor Hicks Whorley, of Lowry, and Janet Hicks Carter, of Milford; and many nieces and nephews.

Thomas graduated from Bedford High School in 1935 and studied electrical engineering at the University of Virginia. He joined the Army National Guard and in February 1941, was stationed at Ft. Mead, Md., Co. A, 116th Infantry, 29th Division. In April 1942, he was assigned to Ft. Benning, Ga., where he was commissioned 2nd Lt. on July 21, 1942. He served as an executive officer at Camp Maxey, Texas, and Camp Blanding, Fla., and was promoted to 1st Lt. in July 1943. He received a medical discharge in December 1944 from Wakeman General and Convalescent Hospital, Camp Atterbury, Ind., and returned to Bedford with his family. In 1983, he retired after 40 years as a sales engineer with Southern Refrigeration Inc., but continued to work part-time from his home until he was 85 years old.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov, 12, 2010, at the Burch-Messier Walnut Street Chapel, 1235 Walnut St., Bedford.

Memorials may be made to the National D-Day Memorial Foundation.

Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 317 W. Main St., Bedford, (540) 586-7360.