James Glenn (Jim) Hicks, age 79, of Cookeville passed away Saturday, April 20, 2018 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).
Funeral service was held Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at 1:00 at Jefferson Avenue Church of Christ with Buddy Johnson officiating. Interment followed in Crest Lawn Cemetery.
Serving as
pallbearers were 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 were honorary pallbearers.
