Paul E. Hicks Jr.

Mr. Paul E. Hicks Jr., age 78 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away Saturday, February 23, 2013, at his home surrounded by family. Paul was born on March 2, 1934, in Joplin, Mo., the son of Paul E. Sr. and Ruth Arlene Cron Hicks. He was married on December 13, 1953, in Joplin, Mo. to Shirley Ann Phillips. Paul graduated from Joplin High School in Joplin, Mo. and received his Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Kansas. He later received his Masters in Engineering from the University of Missouri at Rolla. Paul proudly served in the United States Marine Corp during the Korean Conflict. During his service he was stationed in San Diego, where he played taps in the Drum and Bugle Corp, and also at Lake Mead Base in Las Vegas, where he helped guard nuclear missiles. Paul was employed as an engineer with several companies throughout his career. Most notably, he helped Airojet with the NASA program in California and worked with ACF Industries and McDonald Douglas in St. Louis. During his career he was awarded several patents. A resident of the Jefferson City area for the past 20 years, Paul was a member of the American Legion, Roscoe Enloe Post 5. He was also a member of the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers and the American Society of Civil and Mechanical Engineers. He enjoyed fishing in his free time, especially trout fishing with his son at Lake Taneycomo near Branson, Mo. The two of them also enjoyed upland bird hunting together. Survivors include: his wife of almost 60 years, Shirley Hicks; two sons, Paul E. Hicks III of St. Louis, Mo. and Phillip K. Hicks and his wife Cheryl of Clinton, Mo.; one granddaughter, Abigail Hicks of Clinton, Mo.; his half-sister, Anna Peters and her husband Fred of Joplin, Mo.; two brothers-in-law, Dewey Joe Phillips and his wife Veralee of Columbia, Mo. and Frank Phillips and his wife Janice of New Bloomfield, Mo.; four sisters-in-law, Geraldine Gilpin of Jefferson City, Mo., Carol Sue Miller and her husband Dudley of Jefferson City, Mo., Marylyn Kay Baugh of Joplin, Mo., and Judy Burns and her husband Claude of Camdenton, Mo.; his special cousin, Floyd Hicks Jr. and his wife Carla; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his paternal grandmother, Lilly Hicks, who helped raise him; twin infant sisters, Evelyn and Eleanor Hicks; one sister-in-law, Pamela Muffi; and two nephews, Jeff Phillips and Mark Muffi. Visitation will be at Freeman Mortuary from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 3, 2013. A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 3, 2013, in the Freeman Chapel with full military honors following the service. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the American Heart Association. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com