James Lee Hicks

January 31, 2010 James L. Hicks James L. "Jim" Hicks 76 of Temple died Friday January 29, 2010 at his Temple residence. Services for Mr. Hicks will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday February 2, 2010 at the Scanio-Harper Funeral Home in Temple with Dr. Martin Knox and Rev. Doug Young officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Waco Memorial Park. Mr. Hicks was born August 27, 1933 in Dallas the son of Joe L. and Florence Jones Hicks. He spent his early years in Waco graduating from Waco High School in 1951. He joined the Navy in 1951 and attended Airman School and Ordinance School in Jacksonville Florida. After completion he was sent to Barber's Point Navel Air Station in Hawaii. He served in a fleet air service squadron. He volunteered for Navy Patrol Squadron 22 (VP22). He served as a tail gunner on a Neptune Patrol Bomber for two years. While with the Squadron he earned The Air Medal and gold star as a result of their actions in the Far East. Jim was Honorably Discharged from the Navy in 1954. He enrolled in Baylor University in 1954 and worked on a degree in Business and Art. In His freshman year he met and married Marilyn Cauthen. They have been blessed with 53 years of a wonderful marriage. They were also blessed with a son Jim Hicks Jr. Upon completing Baylor Jim went to work for an Entomology Lab in Kerrville while there he was co-author on two studies dealing with Eradication of the Screw worm fly. This work helped control and eradicate the screw worm fly, which saved ranchers and cattlemen millions of dollars. Jim went to work for Abbott Laboratories as a sales representative in Temple. He served in this capacity for 25 years and retired in 1989. Jim enjoyed the outdoors and spent many wonderful days hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed wood working especially carving wildlife. His carvings, usually life size are in many homes throughout the U.S. Jim was a deacon at First Baptist Church in Temple; he served as a Sunday School Teacher for many years. He served on various committees at his church, including Family Promise, Missionary Home and Financial Committee. Jim loved the Lord and felt privileged to help others and serve in various capacities. Jim is survived by his wonderful wife Marilyn, son James Hicks, Jr. and wife Ida, Sisters Patricia Hardy and Billie Savickas and their husbands. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held from 6-7 PM Monday February 1, 2010 at the Scanio-Harper Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the First Baptist "Greater Things Campaign or the charity of the donor's choice. Scanio-Harper Funeral of Temple is in charge of arrangements.