John Henderson Hicks

1920 - 2024

John Henderson Hicks

June 8, 1920 - February 2, 2024

Miami, Florida - Hicks, John Henderson, MD, age 103, passed away peacefully at home on February 2, 2024. Born in Gordo, Alabama to parents John E. and Maude Pate Hicks, John was the last survivor of six siblings. Growing up in rural Alabama, he loved to go fishing to help out with family dinners. His values, work ethic and love of family typified the Greatest Generation.

After graduation from Gordo High as valedictorian, he attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Upon graduation during WWII, he joined the Navy and trained at Columbia University, New York, and was assigned as a Lieutenant to the Amphibious Fleet in the South Pacific. He saw action at Guadalcanal, New Guinea, New Britain, and survived a Kamikaze attack to his ship in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Philippines.

After four years of service, he returned to the University of Alabama Medical School and then pursued a postgraduate medical residency in dermatology. It was during his residency in Portland, Oregon, that he met the love of his life, Marilyn June Miller of Vancouver B.C., Canada. The couple married in 1955 and settled in Miami, where John practiced dermatology for forty years. In addition to his private practice, he served as a clinical faculty member from the early years of the University of Miami Medical School, Department of Dermatology, becoming a clinical professor and later, professor emeritus.

John held long memberships in Riviera Country Club and the Miami Club. He was a past president of the Florida Academy of Dermatology and Aesculapian Society. He loved football and was a long-time season ticket holder of the University of Miami Hurricanes and Miami Dolphins. An avid golfer for many years, John had his best round of eighteen straight pars at a course in Vancouver. In his later years, John became a devoted duplicate bridge player, earning seven hundred masters points.

He is survived by his loving wife of sixty-eight years, Marilyn, their four children, Bryan (Melodee), Lon, Linda, and Jane, as well as four dear grandchildren, Megan, Davis, Haley and Hannah. During summers, the family spent time at their mountain home at Wildcat Cliffs Country Club, Highlands, N.C. The couple attended Granada Presbyterian Church in Coral Gables. Services will be held Friday, February 9th, 11 a.m., at Woodlawn Park North Mausoleum Chapel, 3260 S.W. 8th St., Miami.