The Jim I got to know was pretty incredible. My father would tell me stories of  their hunt club shenanigans, their weekly Wendy’s frosty and the annual adventure  of  trying to outwit whitetail,  and each other, with their practical jokes. I would be tearing up laughing at my father recalling his days running around with Jim. 

 The great times he had with my Dad and the caring he had after Dads Cancer diagnosis showed me a man who selflessly helped his friend through his battle, all the way to the end. After my Dad passed away Jim and Sherry became amazing friends to my wife and I in the days and weeks after. This is the Jim I knew, he always gave and he always cared, not to mention he could always make you laugh. I will forever be thankful for meeting Jim. He was an angel to my family long before our Lord called him up. 

Jimmy was like a second father to me. My memories go as far back as I can remember. The bbqs, the pig pickins', the family gatherings, the beach trips. The first time he yelled at me I was about 8, and made the mistake of standing between him and his tv for just a second too long. He boomed at me "MOVE!!". I walked to Sherry with my tail between my legs, and her nonchalant words were, "oh baby, don't worry about it; he would have been nicer about it if he didn't like you." I remember being so confused; "That's not how this works! That's not how any of this works!" But sure enough, there was Jimmy just poking fun at everyone he loved, with a warm smile and contagious laugh.
He was a man who loved his company. Now, if you got on his bad side? You better just show yourself out before he did. "I'll have a better day when you get off my lawn!" These were his words to unwanted/disrespectful guests or solicitors before sitting back down and finding us staring at him in shock, and he would ask "..what?" 
This is the man we love. No one has ever made me feel safer than he did the night of an attempted B&E at my childhood home. He and Sherry came running down. Jimmy in his thermals and carhart, holding a pistol. Sherry in her nightgown. Jimmy, the hunter, scouting and tracking footprints while Sherry held me in the hallway, waiting for my parents and the police. This is the man who gathered up all of the blankets and towels in his house, and made me as comfy as possible while I was in labor on his couch. "If your water breaks, please don't get my couch wet".  The man who always opened a spot for me at the dinner table; who loved my daughter as if she were his granddaughter; who opened his living room to me for footballs games, movies nights and Tombstone quotes; who couldn't look at me for getting a ridiculous tattoo. Jimmy loved me as if I were his daughter.
This is the man we love. The man we will remember. The man he will always be. Thank you, Jimmy. For everything. Always

I've known Jim Hicks since 1996 when I transferred into the IBM network support center.   He was my team lead at the time and we quickly became good friends and have remained so over the years. 
Jim has always impressed me with his intelligence and great sense of humor.  Everyone that knows him will agree that he was an extremely righteous and honorable man. 
   It is with much regret that I am not able to attend the memorial service in person.
My sincerest sympathy goes out to Sherry and family. 
Jim Fetty

I worked with Jim for nearly 20 years in the Cisco TAC. First in the IBM Technologies area and then later in the SAN area.  We worked on lots of customer problems together and even some scripting to make our jobs easier. When we were all in the office I loved listening to Jim with a customer. If a case came in that was not described well or maybe the customer had completely 'cleaned up the crime scene' (Jim's term) before gathering any information, Jim was at first a little gruff with the customer. But if I continued to listen I heard how he always turned the conversation around. At the end of the call it seems like Jim and the customer were the best friends ever and they would be exchanging Christmas cards! 

I will miss his friendship, his sense of humor and his technical abilities.

The best part about Jim and the memories are the laughs.  Every time I think of Jim I always end up laughing. I met Jim weeks before his diagnosis, throughout that he was always positive, upbeat, and determined. Jim impacted me more in his short time with me than anyone else I have known.  He and I had so much in common, and he was the type of person that once you were friends that was a bond that wasn’t broken easily.  

When I visited you all shortly before you moved houses, as tough as that was I found so much comfort in your love, caring, and devotion for Jim. 

A wise man once told me that no man at his end times will say I wished I worked more, he will say that he wishes that he spent more time with his family.  Jim had that, and what I heard all those years ago as a little boy rang true that day. 

I got to know Jim when I moved under the same manager in 2007. He was one of those people you instantly meet and build a rapport  with ... a kind, approachable, knowledgeable, willing to help with anything and talk about anything person. I found out that one of his good friends was my brother's father-in-law Paul Grenier (who we lost last year). I always looked forward to speaking with Jim even if it was for a couple of minutes in passing in a break room at work. 

Prayers for the family and comfort that God's spirit will provide peace in this very difficult time.

Tom Kleinert

Adam (and family)
We remember meeting your dad (parents) several times at Mt Herman Baptist Church.  He was as a very kind person.  Sending healing prayers and comforting hugs as you remember your dad.  
Allison Finch



     I came to know Jim in 2007 when I joined the Cisco IBM Networking team.  His intelligence, high technical abilities, and professional persona made him an imposing presence and example both on and for the team and Cisco   With the passage of  time, we discovered we had trod very similar career paths (Both of us had worked in the SNA arena at IBM on different products) and had similar upbringings (both country boys).    Over the last 13+ years, our relationship grew from coworker to friend as we moved from SNA to Fiber Channel SAN protocols.  We relied on each other’s abilities (me on him more than the opposite), with more than one late night at work troubleshooting customer issues.  Our times together extended into external excursions at the shooting range with our wives, followed by entertaining dinners out.  I always loved his stories, both work-related and personal (hunting).  I started to call him my “Brother from another Mother”, and was personally looking forward to those times continuing and expanding after retirement.  However, it seems to have not been in the cards, at least for now...  
I believe our relationship is not finished with the passing of this milestone on our journey, and I am looking forward to seeing and fellowshipping with him again down the road.  

No Good-byes here Kemo Sabe, only “See you later” …


Jimmy was a great friend of mine since 1988.  He always had a story to tell you.  He was a great mentor and co-worker.  I will definitely miss ‘wing night’ with him.  Prayers out to all of his family.  He sure loved them, and would move heaven and earth for them if needed.  Rest easy my friend, you fought a good fight.

OBITUARY

James Preston Hicks

June 15, 1957 – May 9, 2021

McLaurin Funeral Home & Pinecrest Memorial Park

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