Ronald Eugene Hicks December 23, 1932 July 1, 2024

Ron was born December 23, 1932, to George Howard Hicks and Alida Miller Hicks in Junction City, Kansas, and was a proud big brother to Joyce Kay. He grew up in Junction City and Manhattan, Kan., before moving to El Paso as a teenager. Ron volunteered for the U.S. Army and served as a radar operator in Panama from 1952 to 1954. He returned to El Paso and earned a B.S. in education from Texas Western College in 1957.

Ron married Beverly Campbell the same year, and the couple welcomed a daughter, Robin Evonne, in 1959. He felt a call to the ministry and attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, earning a Master of Religious Education in 1963. Ron and his family served in churches in Weatherford, Texas., Colonial Heights, Va., El Paso, and Austin. His life was forever changed when his beloved Bev and Robin were tragically killed in a church bus accident in 1972 with 17 others from Woodlawn Baptist in Austin.

After moving to Waco to serve at Columbus Avenue Baptist, he met and married Viki Turner in 1974, followed by the arrival of their children, Clay and Summer. Ron continued to serve as a Minister of Education and/or Associate Pastor, including at Crestview Baptist in San Antonio, 12 years at First Baptist in San Marcos, and again at Woodlawn in Austin. He 'retired' from full-time church work before taking on his final role as preaching pastor at Staples Baptist Church for three years.

Ron worked in the ministry for 43 years, from 1961 to 2004, but never stopped loving on people and telling them about the Lord. He loved the Bible, reading through it year after year. Some of his favorite memories were leading the Senior Adult Study in San Marcos and a Sunday School class at First Baptist- New Braunfels after retirement, performing both Clay & Summer's weddings, and baptizing both his children, his daughterin- law Maryann and his 3 granddaughters.

He had a true minister's heart, making countless hospital and bereavement visits, performing weddings and funerals, providing counseling, and leading many to faith in Christ. His favorite way to draw people into a conversation about their beliefs was to ask, 'So, where do you go to church?'

Ron never got over losing 'his girls' in 1972 but always said God must have loved him more than he deserved to give him TWO loving families. He and Viki celebrated 50 years of marriage this February. Ron never missed an opportunity to tell her how lucky he was to have her and often told Clay and Summer how proud he was of them both. He loved being a Grandpa/Poppy and was always up for making cookies with the grandkids, blowing bubbles, pushing them on the swings, or driving them around on the lawnmower.

A voracious reader, Ron was also a handyman and animal lover, always appreciated a good nap, and had no shame in hiding chocolate candy under couch cushions and Blue Bell ice cream at the back of the freezer. He enjoyed riding shotgun with his son-in-law Isaiah on their adventures during these last two years, requiring only a cheeseburger or milkshake as payment.

Ron was a man deeply marked by grief, but he always found ways to make others laugh and never met a stranger, always chatting with store clerks, wait staff, and other random folks. He was kind, steadfast, and a friend to many. We will miss him immensely but know we will see him again one day.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Beverly and daughter Robin, and brothers-in-law Conrad Webb and Douglas Burke.

Ron is survived by his wife of 50 years, Viki Turner Hicks; sister, Joyce Webb of Cleburne; son, Clay Hicks and wife, Maryann, of Kingwood; daughter, Summer Morgan and husband, Isaiah of Lake Jackson, grandchildren, Loren & Camryn Hicks and Kendall & Cooper Morgan; inlaws, Eddie & Susie Turner, Kathie & Mike Jackson, and Terri Burke; nephews, Gary & Sue Slaughter, Rick & Bennie Slaughter, Mike & Debby Slaughter, Trey & Tina Webb, David & Claire Webb, Matt & Jill Jackson and Jacob & Liz Burke; nieces, Erin & Damon West, Andi & Justin Knowles, April & Brandon Chancler, Leslie & Evan Varnon and Bekah & Kevin Schaub, as well as many other great-nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Ron's caregivers, nurses and physical therapists over the last six months, especially Andrea Vasta and Will Sandlin of Care Builders.

A memorial service will be planned for a later date.