LTC (Ret.) James Patrick Hicks

[Clark Funeral Home]

CLARK FUNERAL HOME

NEWSPAPER OBIT

4373 ATLANTA HWY.

HIRAM, GA 30141

770-445-7133

FAX 770-505-7273

 

 

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 Gastonia, 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 Defense 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 is in charge of arrangements.

www.samclarkfuneralhome.com

Edited March 19, 2007 by Clark Funeral Home