Alexander Dumas Hicks

Alexander Dumas Hicks made exceptional contributions in the western region of Washington. Alexander Dumas Hicks was born in Kinney, Texas in 1933. His parents were Arthur Hicks and Mattie Rene Hicks. As a young child, he moved with his family to Houston, Texas. He was the oldest of twelve siblings. Alexander also know as A.D., thrived in school, winning a Spelling Bee when he was 7 years old by spelling the word Wednesday. He was so proud of his Blue Ribbon that he wore it for two weeks before his mother insisted that he take it off. At a young age he became passionate about reading. He would read anything available from newspapers to the labels of household products. In high school he and his friends enrolled in a typing class at Wheatly High School to meet girls however, the typing teacher Mrs. Jones was very strict and took typing seriously. Therefore, it was no playing around in Mrs. Jones typing class. Early typewriters did not have lettering, you had to memorize the keys. With much practice, he became a skilled typist. A.D.’s formative years paved the way for the exceptional contributions he made serving his country and in his career.

After graduating from Wheatly High School in 1952, A.D. enlisted in the United States Navy. Upon taking the entrance exam, his high score and skills as a typist landed him a position in the ship’s business office, this was unprecedented for a Black man to hold such a job during that time. When A.D. considered reenlistment, he was encouraged by an older Black gentleman, Mr. Willie Means to go to college instead of reenlisting. Mr. Means had never seen a young Black man working in the ships office and recognized A.D.’s potential. A.D. took Mr. Means’ advice and went back to Houston where he attended Texas Southern University.

A.D. received his Bachelor’s Degree in 1961 from Texas Southern University. He continued his education earning his Jurisprudence Degree (J.D/Law) in 1964. It was during his years at Texas Southern that he met and married his wife of 65 years Nolvia Jewell Collins Hicks.

In 1966 he was recruited by the Boeing Co. of Seattle, Washington. Unfamiliar with the northwest region of the country, his bold and confident spirit led him and his wife to unchartered territory with a move to Seattle Washington. At Boeing A.D. worked as an in-house legal counsel to Boeing’s Material and Procurement Departments.

In 1970, Alexander accepted a position with the U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity as Contracting Officer for Region 10 which included Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. From 1970 thru 1989, A.D. held various executive positions with other Federal agencies in Seattle including HUD, EPA, and the U.S. Department of Labor. During that time A.D. received the EPA’s highest honor award, the “Gold Medal Award for Exceptional Service.” In addition, he received the “Outstanding Civil Rights Officer Award” from the National Association of Minority Consulting Engineers. A.D. retired from the US Government in 1989 but his work in the community continued.

A.D. was not only a scholar, advent reader, but he was a savvy businessman and entrepreneur. He started his own Real Estate Development Company, Novalco Enterprises, Inc. Again being recognized for excellence, he was awarded the “Housing Designs That Work” plaque by the City of Seattle’s Design Commission, and in 1993 he was appointed to Seattle’s Construction Code Advisory Board by Mayor Norm Rice. A.D. was interested in causes and organizations that supported the advancement of the Black community. A.D. was a Life Member of numerous organizations including the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the NAACP, the TSU Alumni Association, as well as the Seattle East Madison YMCA, and the National Bar Association. He was passionate about his family, education, and maintaining historical records of accomplishments, and linage, tracing the family history back to slavery.

Preceding A.D. in death are his parents Arthur and Mattie Rene Hicks, his siblings, Norma Jean Hicks, Arthur Hicks Jr., Doyle Hicks, Bennie Hicks Sr., Reginald Hicks, Linda Hicks, Carolyn Hicks and his loving wife of 65 years, Nolvia Jewel Collins Hicks. He leaves cherishing his memory Marjorie Jones (Moosie), Robert Charles (Joyce), Aaron (Joe) (Anousone), Jan Marie, his beloved nephew Bennie (Boogie) extended friends Darryl and Valeri Harris, a host of loving nieces, nephews and endearing friends. A.D. leaves a legacy of Black excellence; he will be greatly missed by all who crossed his path.

Special Thanks to Envision Hospice Staff

The family thanks everyone who showed love, care and concern during the time.