James Jeremy Hicks

James Jeremy Hicks, 73, of Alexander, died Friday, December 12, 2008, at the John F. Keever Hospice Solace Center after a seven month illness against esophageal cancer. Born in Minneola, NY, Jerry was the second of four children born to James Walter and Helene Hicks. He was preceded in death by his elder brother, Robert. Mr. Hicks is survived by his beloved wife, Marie Powell Hicks and two adult children, Barbara Hicks of Alexandria, VA, and James Hicks and wife, Jennifer, of Boston, MA; a sister, Gloria Garvin and a brother, Alan Hicks. As a young man, Jerry worked with his father and brothers in the motion picture industry as a stage hand and prop man in New York City. Following his marriage and birth of his two children, he opened a business in Johnson City, TN, and later took a job as a computer programmer at Robins Air Force Base, Warner Robins, GA. Convinced that he could learn to do almost anything, he learned to program in FORTRAN and COBOL, and eventually became a computer systems analyst. Drawing on his experience in the film industry, he brought his experience and knowledge of lighting to Georgia and convinced the staff at a local performing arts arena to hire him for occasional evening jobs running spotlights for rock concerts. Jerry retired in 1996 and moved with his wife back to her birthplace in Western North Carolina. Jerry was an active and enthusiastic person who enjoyed life and believed that he was one of the luckiest people alive. As a high school student, he ran track and broke several state records for speed and he swam competitively at Georgia Tech. As a young man he became a ham radio operator and continued that hobby throughout his life. He took great pleasure in maintaining mechanical items and has kept a single vacuum cleaner in good working order for the duration of his 46 year marriage. He was adept at electrical wiring and fond of tinkering with small gas engines. Jerry always enjoyed photography and once had his own home dark room. He enjoyed traveling, boating and water skiing. A memorial Funeral Mass will be celebrated by the Rev. Fr. John M. Pagel at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. The family will receive friends at the church immediately following the Mass. Memorials may be made to the St. Joan of Arc Building Fund, 768 Asbury Road, Candler, NC 28715. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue is assisting with the arrangement.