Earnest Jerry Hicks, age 74, of Abingdon, Va. and formerly of Welch, W.Va. and Riner, Va., passed away on Monday, July 9, 2018, at the Select Specialty Hospital of Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was born December 4, 1943, in McDowell County, W.Va. Jerry was a veteran of the United States Navy during the Vietnam Era and served during the Cuban Missile Crisis on the U.S.S. Independence. He worked at RAAP and held various positions as a salesman and coal miner before retiring from Volvo in 2015.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest B. Hicks and Maggie Osborn Hicks Lindsey; step-father, William Lindsey; and sister, Loretta Hamby. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nancy Sue Hicks; daughter, Lisa Dolan and husband, John, of Fredericksburg, Va.; son, Scotty Hicks and wife, Julie, of Gary, W.Va.; daughter, Amy Gray and husband, Travis, of Abingdon, Va.; brother-in-law, Ben Hamby and wife, Sandra, of Abingdon, Va.; 11 grandchildren, Johnny, Sheena, Chelsea, Rylee, Ashley, Matt, Sam, John, Holly, Zac, and Zoe; five great grandchildren, Cady, Nathan, Autumn, Caroline, and Nicholas; and loyal Boston Terrier, Trouble. He was close to extended family including nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. His favorite things were hunting, fishing, watching CNN, napping, and being surrounded with the laughter of his family. He was a man of few words who enjoyed teasing his little ones and being with those he loved. He was whole heartedly devoted to his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service on Saturday, July 14, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Saturday prior to the service at the funeral home. Military honors will be provided by the Highlands Veterans Honor Guard and the United States Navy.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Justin Foundation, P.O. Box 656, Damascus, VA 24236.
Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting
www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guestbook. The family of Earnest Jerry Hicks is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).