James L. Hicks

called home on February 16,

2021. He was born in Denver,

Colorado and was raised in

Spokane, WA. He went to Bowdish

Jr. High where he met his (now wife), Debbie and they dated on and off both junior and high school. During their time at University High School, Jim played the trumpet in both concert and marching band, Jim also became the drum major of the marching band, at the same time, he was also giving guidance to the high school band in Moses Lake. In 1983, the University Marching Band won the National Championships in Whitewater, WI. In 1985, Jim became the Drum Major for the band. Jim worked at Sunshine Gardens as an CNA while attending the Skills Center his senior year. Debbie and Jim remained close friends until she moved out of state with her first husband, and they lost contact with each other. He later heard that Debbie had passed away through a friend but was delighted to hear that she was alive after all, and they reconnected via Facebook 20 years later. They got married June 12, 2010 in Spokane and Jim became stepfather to her 2 children Kelsie and Connor.

Jim started his Firefighter/EMS/Dispatch career with the Millwood Volunteer Fire Department from 1989 to 1996 serving as a Firefighter/EMT, after that he went to Spokane County Fire District #4 where he reached the rank of Lieutenant and oversaw his Stations EMS training. While at the same time, Jim worked for Spokane County 911 as an emergency operator and then worked for AMR as a System Status Controller.

From 1985 to 1988, Jim attended Spokane Community College where he worked to obtain one of his career goals in the Paramedic program. He received his certification as an Advanced EMT while Volunteering for Deer Park Ambulance continuing his education receiving multiple instructor certifications also. Jim was also a certified Emergency Telecommunicator, Public Safety Communications Officer, NFPA Fire Service Instructor and National Academy of Emergency Dispatch certified. Jim spent a total of nearly 15 years with Deer Park Ambulance also holding the positions of Vice President and Treasurer. Jim was an integral part of helping Deer Park Ambulance move into the 21st century with the implementation of fulltime Paramedics and the financing for building a new station that is still in operation today.

Jim loved this community, his coworkers at Dollar Tree, his friends, family, fishing, and camping. He was preceded in death by his mother Catherine Hicks. He was survived by his wife Debbie, stepchildren Kelsie and Connor, his father Richard, brother Scott, sister Jan (Mike). He also was survived by 2 step grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews who loved him dearly.

Jim’s Celebration of Life service will be held at Valley Real Life Church, 1831 S. Barker Rd on June 25th at 1pm. Burial will be held at Pines Cemetery, 1402 S. Pines at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to James L. Hicks Memorial Fund at STCU, 13211 E. 32nd Ave Spokane Valley, WA 99216.