JUNE 22, 1948 - AUGUST 24, 2021
Gerald Wayne Hicks passed away suddenly in his home on August 24th. Jerry, as he was known to friends and family, was born in Oakland, California, in 1948. He attended Newark Memorial High School in Newark (CA), where he was a standout multi-sport athlete on the football, baseball, and track teams. Jerry was an ambidextrous hitter, a talent that confounded pitchers for opposing teams. He also played trombone in the school band, an experience that left him with a lifelong love of jazz and soul music.
Jerry was drafted after graduation, and he served in the United States Army as a combat infantryman during the Vietnam War. He served with distinction during his time in Vietnam, earning a Bronze Star and receiving the Purple Heart on two occasions.
Following his honorable discharge from the service, Jerry entered a union apprenticeship as a member of the United Auto Workers. But he saw an opportunity in the booming construction business. Jerry soon relocated his family to Florida, where he became a successful commercial contractor. Not content to sit idle after retirement, Jerry then became a paralegal in his commitment to help others.
Jerry had a lifelong passion for the law, history, and politics. He loved to debate but always respected a good argument. Jerry also cared a great deal about animals and rescued countless creatures over his lifetime, often nursing injured animals back to health. He was a fan of baseball and Florida beaches, particularly walking along the shore at night.
Jerry was the loving father of Nicolè (Hicks) Ford, Ph.D., respected father-in-law to her husband Chris, and beloved grandfather to Elric and Zoya. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law Patricia Parrish, stepsons David and Scott Tillson, nieces Stacy Bullard and Charli Hicks, and grandchildren Kristina Stephey, Natasha, Eric, Sean and Kevin Tillson, Hallie Roldan, and their families. Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Raymond A. Hicks, his grandparents Lee and Agnes Shaw, his granddaughter Alicia Tillson, and his sister-in-law Becky Hicks.
A memorial service for Jerry Hicks will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 2 at Blount & Curry Temple Oaks Chapel, 12690 N. 56th Street, Temple Terrace. In lieu of flowers, the family that asks that those wishing to honor Jerry consider donating to a veterans’ scholarship fund to be established in his name by his daughter Nicolè Ford.
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