Richard LeRoy Hicks

RICHARD LEROY HICKS, 89, passed from this life Feb. 28, 2014 at his home in Little Rock. Born March 21, 1924 in Wheatley, Ark., the first child and only son of Roy Hicks and Alma Dunnerman Hicks, he was raised in Stuttgart, graduating in 1941 from Stuttgart High School. He joined the Army in March 1943. He met his wife, Ferrol Lee, at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa during Officer Training. They married Aug. 2, 1945. In World War II, he was a pilot in the Army Air Corps. Following the war, he graduated from Draughon School of Business in Little Rock, managed Hertz Red Top Car Rental until 1972, and retired from Bale Chevrolet in 1988. He also managed the family farm in Stuttgart. Richard was a selfless man, serving in the Lions Club, as Adjutant with American Legion Post 128, and supporting numerous charitable organizations. A kind and humble man of integrity, he was deeply devoted to his family and always available to assist others. His sense of humor will always be warmly remembered. Richard enjoyed family gatherings, fishing, traveling, and dancing with Ferrol Lee in the Twirling Lariats Square Dance Club. He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Stephen Hicks; and great-grandson, Tristan Flynn. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ferrol Lee Smith Hicks; two daughters, Carol Brown of Little Rock and Janet Griffin of Orlando, Fla.; eight grandchildren, Jenn Flynn, Delana Keeling, Rebecca Chappell, Melissa Shipman, Christen Miles, Virgil Leroy Brown, Cora Rock, Janet Peacock; and 15 great-grandchildren; his sisters, Doris Kessler of Memphis and Annette Heien of Beaumont, Texas. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 5 at 11 a.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service starting at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander, Ark. Memorials may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., (NW Corner of I-630 and Barrow Rd), Little Rock, Ark. 72205 (501)224-2200. Mr. Hicks' online guestbook and full obituary may be found at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.