Ves Hicks, Jr.

In June 1945, Ves was drafted into World War II, served in the army as an elite MRU technician in Italy for 2 years and attained the rank of Sergeant. He returned home afterward and attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. Ves was then called back to service in the army during the Korean War when ranks were reassigned and he served as a Corporal.

After the war, Ves was hired by Brownfield High School as their first Ag Teacher.

During his tenure as Ag teacher, Ves led more FFA judging teams to national championship than any teacher in Texas- a record that stood for several decades.

Ves met Mary Jane Duffey, his future bride to be, who was the secretary to the superintendent of the school district where he worked. He and Mary Jane were married on Dec. 5, 1952. Ves returned to Texas Tech University nights and weekends and graduated with his Masters in Education. He was then promoted to elementary principal in Brownfield where he worked for 4 years. During that time period, he became the father of 2 children, Karla and Stan.

His next career move was as a textbook sales representative for DC Heath and Company which took the family to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and later, San Antonio, Texas where he worked for over 30 years through a couple of mergers by different textbook companies.

Ves and Mary Jane traveled all through Great Britain, Europe and Russia in their retirement years as well as most of the U.S.

Mary Jane passed shortly after their 67th wedding anniversary, but she remained in Ves’s thoughts daily.

Ves was called home to be with the Lord at the age of 95. He was proceeded in death by his parents, father, Ves Hicks, Sr., and mother, Blanche; brothers, Elmo and Ralph; sister, Eudell; and wife, Mary Jane.

He will be greatly missed by his sister-in-law, Lanelle Witt; daughter, Karla Salzman (Wayne); son, Stan Hicks (Dianne); five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; his nieces and nephews; and all of those who knew him.

MEMORIAL SERVICEFRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 202210:00 A.M.PORTER LORING MORTUARY1101 McCULLOUGH AVENUE

Interment will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 11:30 a.m.

The family wants to thank the Changing Seasons Assisted Living of Castroville and Honey’s House in Helotes, management and staff, as well as the Good Shepherd Hospice group, for all of their kindness and care for Ves during this past year.