Mr. James Howell Hicks, 78, of Benton, KY passed away peacefully in his sleep Sunday, December 2, 2018 at Ray and Kay Eckstein Hospice Center located in Paducah, KY.
Mr. Hicks was born on February 25, 1940 in Brandon's Mill, Calloway County KY to the late Howell and Irene Eldridge Hicks. He attended school in both New Concord and Benton, KY. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1959-1969 on the ships Nipmuc, Pawcatuck, Luiseno and the USS Glacier (Icebreaker) with two tours in Antarctica. He was a deep sea diver retrieving undetonated mines. Later he joined the US Army Reserve for 8 years as a mechanical instructor. Mr. Hicks retired from the St. Johnsburg Trucking in Braintree, MA after 15 years Mr. Hicks was a member of American Legion Post 85 located in Benton, KY and a member of Church Grove United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Ellen (Pratt) Hicks, son, James Howell Hicks Jr. of Revere, MA; daughter Peggie Jean Greenough, husband David of Jaffrey, NH; stepsons Arne Johnsen, wife Claudia of Sebago, ME, Russell Johnsen, wife Mary of Linwood, NC; stepdaughters Barbara Shuman, husband Peter of Buxton, ME, Nancy Johnsen of Casco, ME; grandsons Randall Hicks-Greenough, wife Sabrina of Peterborough, NH, Jason Hicks-Greenough, wife Sarah of Athol, MA, Thomas Greenough and Riley Greenough of Jaffrey, NH; step grandchildren, Rachel Shuman, Joshua Shuman of Buxton, ME, Thomas Shuman, wife Kelly of Casco, ME, Joseph Johnsen, wife Melissa of Casco, ME, Carrie Suthard, husband Chris of Buxton, ME, Destiny Johnsen of Buxton, ME; great grandson James Randall Hicks-Greenough of Peterborough, NH; step great grandson, Brent Johnsen of Casco, ME; brothers Larry Hicks, wife Shirley of Benton, KY, Dan Hicks, wife Jane of Benton, KY, Garry Hicks, wife Donna of West Paducah, KY, David Hicks, wife Lynn of Hardin, KY; sisters Eva Logsdon, husband Terry of Paducah, KY, Joyce Spain of Huntingdon, TN, Kathy Thompson, husband Jimmy of Benton, KY; brother in law Tom Henson of Symsonia, KY; sister in law Frances Hicks of Swayzee, IN; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Frederick Dean Hicks, sisters, Ann Henson and Janice Hicks; brothers, Ralph Hicks and Tommy Hicks; brother-in-law Conrad Spain and the mother of his children, Margaret Hicks.
Funeral Services will be held Friday December 7, 2018 at 2:00 PM at Collier Funeral Home located at 211 W. 5th. St. Benton, KY 42025 with Rev. Max Anderson officiating.
Interment is to follow at Hicks Cemetery located in Murray, KY.
Visitation will be between the hours of 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM on Thursday December 6, 2018 in the chapel of Collier Funeral Home.
