Travis Clayton Hicks

Travis Clayton Hicks, age 89, of Knoxville, Tennessee, died on Tuesday, March 18, 2014. He was born in Quitman, Arkansas, on August 8, 1924. He attended Centerville (Arkansas) High School and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, he moved to Memphis, where he worked as a printer for Sun Records, and later for the Memphis Commercial Appeal in the layout and production department. Travis met his first wife, Mary, in Arkansas; she predeceased him at an early age. They had one daughter, Vicky Lynn. Travis later remarried Marie Hodgson Whitley, whom he met while working at the Commercial Appeal. Travis and Marie had a ranch in Mississippi, where they raised Brangus cattle. There, Travis had three prize bulls and daily rode his favorite horse, Cadillac. Travis and Marie later retired to Hickory Valley, Tennessee, where he was actively involved in raising and training bird dogs, and participated in the National Field Trial Championship for several years. Eventually, Travis and Marie moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, to be near Marie's daughters. Travis is preceded in death by parents, George and Nell Hicks; first wife, Mary Hicks; daughter, Vicky Lynn Hicks Bennett Lane; second wife, Marie H. Hicks and siblings: Emogene Keathley, George F. (Bill) Hicks Jr., Forrest Hicks, John Dee Hicks, and Robert Dale Hicks. He is survived by brother, Ivan L. (Pete) Hicks, of Quitman; grandchildren, Amanda Bennett Lance (Michael) and Jonathan Lane; step-daughters, Patty Silver, Regina Whitley, Stacy Naville, and Eileen DuPre; life-long family friends Marie Todd, Bobby Todd, Nancy and Scott Todd, and many loving nieces, nephews, and step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For his excellent care, Travis's family would like to thank NHC Healthcare, Fort Sanders Nursing Home Facility (Knoxville). No formal service will be held for Travis. Donations in his memory may be made to the Hobart Ames Foundation, P.O. Box 389, Grand Junction, Tennessee 38039, or The Bird Dog Foundation, P.O. Box 774, 505 West Highway 57, Grand Junction, Tennessee 38039.