April 16, 2019
Funeral services for James Glenn (Jim) Hicks, Jr. 79, of Cookeville will be held Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Jefferson Avenue Church of Christ with Buddy Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in Crest Lawn Cemetery. Jim died Saturday after a brief illness.
He was born November 19, 1939 in Knoxville to the late Marie Williams and James Glenn Hicks.
Jim was a proud graduate and lifelong supporter of Tennessee Tech University. He was also a graduate of the LSU Graduate School of Banking and the School of the Tennessee Bankers Association, presently known as the Southeastern School of Banking.
Jim was a well-respected banker in Cookeville for 49 years. His genuine interest in his customers and dedication to service led to many cherished friendships. He began his banking career on the square at the old First National Bank. From there, he started American Bank and Trust which later became First American, then AmSouth Bank and currently Regions Financial. Later, he started Community Bank of the Cumberlands, which became SouthEast Bank where he retired as Senior Vice President and member of the Board of Directors.
Jim’s devotion and service to Tennessee Tech is unrivaled. He was a long-time member of the President’s Club and was a Chapter Advisor of Sigma Chi Fraternity. He served on several TTU job search committees, including the search for the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. His service to the university was diverse and included the College of Arts and Sciences Board of Visitors, the Foundation for the Humanities Board of Directors, the Fine Arts Foundation Board of Directors, and the University Christian Center Advisory Board.
Jim was committed to the College of Business Administration Foundation, serving as President, Vice President, and Secretary of the Board of Trustees. He chaired several committees, including the Executive, Nominating, Fundraising, Finance, Selection, and served on the Scholarship Committee. Jim received the Louis Johnson Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2004. He was a supporter of the Tommy Lynn Executive Suite, in honor of his professional mentor. While at American Bank and Trust, he helped to arrange for the bank to support two annual scholarships for the College of Business.
Jim’s service continued in the community he loved. He was a Charter Member and President of the Cookeville Breakfast Rotary Club and the Cookeville Jaycees, Chair of the Putnam County Red Cross, March of Dimes, and the Cookeville/Putnam County Chamber of Commerce. He served as Treasurer of the Bryan Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors and Putnam County Friends of the Library. He was a 1996 graduate of Leadership Putnam and served on the Board of Trustees. Jim supported the Special Olympics, Boys and Girls States, Odyssey of the Mind, and various community and school sports teams. He served on the Advisory Board of Foster Grandparents, the Chance Project Council and the Upper Cumberland Friends of Scouting.
In honor of his commitment to scouting, Jim recently received the 2019 Good Scout Award at the Friends of Scouting Annual Luncheon.
Jim was a devout Christian who lived his life in service to others, serving as a long-time deacon at Jefferson Avenue Church of Christ.
Jim’s family was his greatest pride and joy. Survivors include his loving wife of 56 years, Evon Turner Hicks; son and daughter-in-law, Lee Turner and Katherine Borzcik Hicks and three grandchildren, Turner Beth, Trey Derrick, and Theodore Riley Hicks all of San Francisco, California, a sister, Joyce Hicks (Bob) Gaskins of Beaumont, Texas. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his son, James Glenn Hicks III (Trey).
Serving as pallbearers will be Fred Burton, David Draper, Ken Draper, Roger Johnson, Dr. Tom Lawrence, Thomas Lynn, Lane Moore, Bruce Plummer, Dan Rader, Daniel Rader IV, Jim Smith, Gary Strong, Dr. Jim Vaden, and Don Wolber. All bank employees that worked with Jim over the years will be honorary pallbearers.
The family will receive friends Monday evening from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home and Tuesday from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm at Jefferson Avenue Church of Christ.
Memorial contributions may be made to Happy Haven, 2311 Wakefield Drive, Cookeville, Tennessee 38501, or the Putnam County Library, 50 E. Broad Street, Cookeville, Tennessee 38501.