James Earl Hicks, 94 of Lufkin,Texas, went to be with our Loving Lord on September 2, 2023. He passed away in Huntsville, Texas surrounded by his loving wife of 68 years and his two children at his side.

James was born on April 30, 1929, in Apple Springs to James Marvin and Ethel Hicks. He was the third of eight children and the only son. He grew up to be a loving brother who doted on his seven sisters Dorothy, Fay, Jean, Louise, Earlene, Robbie, and Alice. As a teen, he loved spending his time with his family and his loving dog Butch. James was drafted into the Army in 1950 and completed basic training at Camp Polk, La.  He was then stationed at Fort Benning, and went through tank training. In May of 1952, he was called to active duty and landed in Korea on May 12, where he was stationed as a tank commander until the end of the war.

James met his wife Joy Thompson when he was 25. They fell in love and were married on April  9, 1955. They enjoyed 68 wonderful years of marriage. James doted on his wife and children. As a family they loved swimming, hunting and camping. Being a kind and dependable father was of the utmost importance to James and he certainly did not disappoint when it came to wholeheartedly loving the Lord and his family. If he was not spending time with his family, you could find him outside tinkering by following the sound of his whistling.

In addition to his wife Joy Hicks, son James Larry Hicks and daughter Carol Hicks Brown and husband Larry, James is survived by his grandchildren: Lauri Hicks, Traci Brown Walker and husband John, grandsons James Hicks and wife Stacy, Jonathan Hicks, Daniel Brown and wife Kaci. Great grandchildren: Alex Quinn and wife Megan, Drake Boykin, Madelyn Walker, Drew Hicks, Reily Hicks, Hunter Hicks, Rosemarri Walker, Greysen Walker, Cutter Brown, Silas Hicks, Lillian Hicks, and Jacie Brown. Great great grandchildren: Sophia Quinn, Emma Quinn and Saydee Boykin. Sisters: Alice Stanley and husband Jimmy, Earlene Baker and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in passing by his father, James Hicks, mother Ethel Hicks, sisters: Fay, Dorothy, Louise, Robbie and Jean.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to his hospice nurse and niece, Jennifer Stanley and her team for their love and support. Also his caregivers, Shea Ballard and Sharles Taylor, for the wonderful care they gave James in his home as well as the Nurses, CNA's and staff at Huntsville Health Care Center and the Lufkin VA for their support in his care.

Graveside services will be held at Simpson Cemetery on September 7, 2023  at 11am.   Visitation will be held at the same location beginning at 10:30am. His family will be present to welcome loved ones and friends.

In lieu of flowers, if you feel lead, the family is asking that a donation be made in his name to: Wounded Warrior Project - supportwoundedwarriorproject.org  or Tunnel to Towers Foundation - t2t.org