James Hicks

James Edward Buddy Hicks of Elgin, Texas was born December 24, 1929 to Sneed and Margaret Stone Hicks in Paducah, Texas. He passed away suddenly, August 9, 2013 at his home in Elgin.He grew up in Elgin, Texas and graduated from Elgin High School in 1948 where he played football for the Wildcats. Buddy served four years in the United States Navy as a Sea Bee and upon returning attended Houston Business School where he earned an associates degree as a draftman.In 1954 Buddy was baptized in the Central Christian Church of Elginuddy married Karlin Babe Meyer of Elgin on May 15, 1955. The couple resided in Houston where Buddy worked for General Geophysical as draftsman. In 1958 Buddy and Babe moved back to Elgin and Buddy joined the Sneed Hicks Trucking Company with his father.In 1958 Buddy was confirmed and became a member of Saint Peters Lutheran Church of Elgin.On April 22, 1958 their first child and son, Blair Edward, was born at Fleming Memorial Hospital in Elgin. On January 7, 1964 their daughter, Karla Lynn, was born also at Fleming Memorial Hospital.Buddy founded and was the owner of James Hicks Trucking Company and was truly a lifelong trucker. He drove for 53 years and retired, somewhat reluctantly, at the age of 80.Buddy was an avid lover of aviation and steam locomotives. He held a pilots license for several years and actively followed via his home computer the flights of his son, Blair, who is a corporate pilot with Anadarko Petroleum. He also spend many hours watching videos of steam engines and made annual trips to see in person and ride some of the historic trains with his good friend Paul Ivey and late with his son Blair.As a member of St. Peters Lutheran Church Buddy became a lifelong member of the church choir, served on the church council and was a member of the Lutheran Brotherhood. He was also a charter member of the Elgin VFW.The family wishes that memorial contributions be made in Buddys honor to St. Peters Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 187, Elgin, Texas, 78621 or to the charity of your choice.He was preceded in death by his parents Sneed and Margaret Hicks brother inlaw, Farrel Buddy Meyer and niece, Mliss Meyer as well as many aunts and uncles.Buddy is survived by his wife, Karlin Meyer Hicks brother, Kay Hicks and wife JoAnna of Elgin sister Beverly Feltz of Jacksonville, Florida son Blair Hicks and wife Kim of Houston daughter Karla Hicks Rivers and husband Ed of Elgin grandson William Howard Rivers and his girlfriend Juli Zamora and three granddaughters, Kathlyn, Ellyn and Rebecca Rivers. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and also by his faithful truck driver, friend and adopted son Buck Sedberry and his family.Buddy was blessed to call many people friend and always had a kind word for everyone. His daily routine always started with coffee at Super Donuts where he was joined by many of his coffee buds including Lloyd Raschke and Bernard Christensen. Since his retirement he was a faithful member of Elgins Meals on Wheels delivering with his wife and always being reminded of his delivery dates by friend, Lloyd.