James Matthews Hicks

James “Jim” Matthews Hicks passed away on the 14th of April 2014, in Houston, TX. He is survived by his wife, Laura Lee Fendley Hicks, five children, Cindy Hicks Jeffers (Mike) of New Braunfels, TX, Margot Hicks Taunton of Kerrville, TX, Loring Hicks Drefke (David) of McAllen, TX, Allison Younger McMillan (Mark) of Houston, TX and Galen Younger (Sharon) of Houston, Texas. Jim also leaves nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Jim was preceded in death by his first wife, Ouida Atwood Hicks of McAllen, TX, two sisters, Jean Garrett (Felix) of Baton Rouge, LA, and Elizabeth Hicks Bickel (Ross) of Dallas and Laura Lee’s children, Laura Lee Younger and Douglas Fendley Younger.

Jim was born on the 28th of November 1922, in Camden, Arkansas of parents Mary Matthews Hicks and James Henry Hicks (Smackover, Arkansas). He attended Junior and Senior High School in El Dorado, Arkansas and served as class president at both schools. He was also a member of the National Honor Society and was President of the Arkansas State National Honor Society. Jim graduated in 1940 and attended Louisiana State University where he was a member of the R.O.T.C. and was called to active duty in 1943 in World War II. He attended Officer’s Candidate School in Fort Belvoir, Virginia where he served in various capacities until the end of the war. Following his discharge, he returned to Louisiana State University and received a B.S. Degree in Petroleum Engineering.

Jim was employed by Cities Service until 1951 when he joined Southern Production Company, and in 1952 was transferred to Calgary, Alberta, Canada. In 1957, he moved to Dallas for a brief time when he joined Mayfair Minerals in McAllen as Chief Engineer, a position he held for twenty years. In the early 1970’s he was co-owner of Gulf Offshore Drilling and Go Drilling Company. In 1977 he purchased Valley Vacuum Trucks as co-owner and when these companies were sold, he became an independent investor in oil and gas interests as a Registered Petroleum Engineer. Jim was an active participant in his profession and was a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association, the American Petroleum Institute, the Texas Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association and the Independent Petroleum Association of America.

Having moved to McAllen in 1957, Jim became an active member of the community having served as a member of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, the Airport Advisory Board, The Rotary Club, the International Oilman’s Golf Tournament, and a Lifetime Member of the Salvation Army. Jim was an Elder for many years at First Presbyterian Church, and also served as an Episcopal Lay Eucharistic Minister for many years at Trinity Episcopal Church in Pharr, Texas where he was elected to serve on the Vestry several times during the years, twice as Senior Warden.

In 2007, Jim and Laura Lee moved, permanently, to Kerrville, Texas where he became a member of the Kerrville Rotary Club, the River Hill Country Club and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Since 2010, Jim and Laura Lee have made Houston their home.

A memorial service is to be conducted in the chapel of the Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard in Houston, at a later date.

In lieu of customary remembrances, those desiring to do so, may make a memorial gift to the Salvation Army, 1600 N. 23rd, McAllen, TX 78501; Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX, 77030; or to the charity of one’s choice.