Thomas Rudolph "Tom" Hicks

Services for Mr. Thomas Rudolph "Tom" Hicks are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, 2006, at Hilliard Funeral Home with Rev. James Day and Rev. Mike Calhoun officiating. Burial will be in Fairway Garden of Memories, Van, under the direction of Hilliard Funeral Home.

Mr. Hicks passed away at the age of 78 on Nov. 3, 2006, in Van.

Tom was born July 1, 1928, to the late Rudolph and Dollie Hicks. He was a resident of Van and a member of First Baptist Church of Van. He retired from Exxon in 1986, where he worked as a Petroleum Engineer and Drilling Superintendent. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, often taking kids on deep sea fishing trips and hunting in East Texas. He spent many years volunteering for the Van Zandt County Children's Shelter in Fruitvale and served as a member of the city council for several years.

He was preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter, Angela Spiers.

Survivors include his wife, Tommie Hicks of Van; children, Steve Hicks and wife Patti of Mobile, Ala., Bill Hicks and wife Angie of Lafayette, La., Kathy Pearson of Van, Kristy Adams and husband Larry of Lindale, Larry Strickland of Dallas, Terry Strickland and wife Charlotte of Tyler, and Belinda Yarborough and husband Bill of Van; brother and sister-in-law, Howard and Sarah Hicks of Devine; numerous grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be James Durham, Chuck Kotlarz, Michael Hicks, Bradley Hicks, Kyle Strickland, Ryan Strickland and William Howell.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 2 p.m. until service time on Sunday.

To view and sign guest book online, go to www.hilliardfuneralhome.com.