James Hicks

Family-Placed Death Notice

LTC (RET) JAMES PATRICK HICKS LTC (Ret) James Patrick Hicks went to be with the Lord at home on Friday, March 16, 2007 a few hours before his 61st birthday. He had fought long and extremely hard against Agent Orange related, soft tissue sarcoma. Jim was a Gastoonia, NC native born to Pearl Haymore Hicks and R.B. (Bob) Hicks on March 17, 1946. Jim graduated from Clayton High School, Clayton, NC where he was a member of the Comets Basketball Team and Captain of the football Team. He also graduated from Belmont Abbey College, being a lifelong member of sigma Pi fraternity. Jim was a loyal, proud and ambitious man who attained many accomplishments in his active life. He loved and was a active member of Hiram United Methodist Church, serving his lord in many leadership positions. Jim served 2 tours in Vietnam achieving Staff Sergeant. After discharge, he applied for Direct Commission as an officer and received his commission direct from the Dept. of the Army as a Second Lieutenant. His very prosperous military career as a fulltime active officer of the US Army Reserve Command and saw his rise rapidly from Second Lieutenant to retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel in 20 short years during peace time. Jim achieved the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, 5 Meritorious Service Medals, Air Medal, 3 army Commendation Medals, 1 Army Commendation Medal with a V device, Army Good conduct Medal, Achievement Medal, 2 National Defensnse Service Medals, 5 Vietnam Service Medals , Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Medal, Army Reserve Components Overseas training Ribbon. Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Aircraft Crewman Badge, Riffle M16 Expert Qual Badge, Infantryman Officer advanced CRS(non-resident), Recruiter Retention Management Course, Infantry Officer Basic CRS, Joint and Command Staff College, Inspector General Course and Test Control Officer. He was a member of Black Hawk Assoc. Also Jim was an avid bass tournament fisherman and a member of Bassing America having won several trophies at the local an national levels. He was a game and Deer Hunter enjoying the Cooking and camaraderie with his buddies in Michigan as much as the trophies he gained. After retiring from the US Army, he became a successful residential Painter who took great pride in beautifying his customers homes as Jim the painter and Hicks Painting Service. In heaven Jim has joined his Mother, Father, Brother Joel T. Hicks. Survived by wife of 19 yrs Bonita Hicks, Hiram, Son Lt. James P and Stephany Hicks,III , Mt. Holly NC, Grandson Gavin James Hicks, Step Son Todd Dicus, Murfreesboro, Tn, Brothers Jimmy Lee and Sylvia Hicks, Clayton, NC, Jeremiah and Carolyn Hicks , Pulaski, Va, Eddie C and Jennifer Pryor, Thomasville, NC, Robert Ed and Doris Hicks Cartersville, Ga, Sister Amanda Hicks, Danville,Va. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at 11am from Hiram United Methodist Church , Rev. Bettye J. Holland officiating with Interment to follow with full Military Honors at Georgia National Cemetery, Canton,Ga at 1:30pm. The family will receive friends at Clark Funeral Home , Monday March 19, 6-8pm. Clark Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. www.samclarkfuneralhome.com.