Raymond L. Hicks, Sr.

Raymond Lamar Hicks, Sr., known as “Southside Hicks”, “Old Man” or Doc, was born on August 14, 1940 to Jimmie Lee Hicks and Rosa Mae Hayes-Williams in Birmingham, Alabama. Throughout his life he was known as a pillar of the community and jack of all trades, someone you could truly depend on.

In his early years, Ray was extremely talented on the football field and the basketball court as well as in the classroom. When he wasn’t in class, he drove his mother across state lines while sitting on top of a box so he could see the road. His motto was, “If I have a car, I will drive!” In fact, if you ever took a wrong turn on a trip, you could call Ray and he’d put you back on track. He was a walking, talking GPS and loved to travel.

Ray married Loretta Alexander in 1959 and moved to Chicago, Illinois. Together, they raised seven children: Kunitha, Raymond Jr., Aringtor Sr. “SugarPie” Sr., Anthony Sr., Wesley Sr., Brigetta and Derrick. To improve the lives of his family, he later settled in Saginaw, Michigan and started his career at General Motors Grey Iron Foundry in the 1960’s.

Ray later met and married his second wife, Clara George, in 1976, and together they raised their children: Susan, Eric, Michael, Chris, Travis, Darryl and Gabriel.

As the president of the Parents on Patrol Club at Saginaw High School, Ray earned the nickname Pitbull along with the respect and admiration of all the students and their parents because he took discipline and education very seriously.

Sports played a huge role in Ray’s life. He coached his children’s elementary school teams, travelled across the state to watch the Saginaw High athletes play, and was even an avid supporter of the school’s booster club. He often lead fundraisers to buy the teams championship rings. Ray was also an enthusiastic tailgater, and the Silverdome became his second home whenever the Detroit Lions played.

On any given day, you could find Ray dancing like James Brown or singing along to The Temptations and Jackie Wilson. He later became a member of the men’s choir at Prince of Peace Church and never shied away from leading the church in song.

Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Clara Hicks; parents, Jimmie Hicks and Rosa Hayes-Williams; brothers, Theodis Williams, Sr., Nathaniel Williams, Sr., Leonard Campbell, Ronnie Hicks and Wesley Williams; sister, Faye Williams; grandson, Aringtor Hicks, Jr.; and his very special uncle, Arthur Williams, Sr.

He is survived by his children, Kunitha (Dedrick) Peterson, Birmingham, Alabama, Raymond Jr. (Jamie) Hicks, Saginaw, Michigan, Arington Sr. (Nina) Hicks, Canton, Michigan, Anthony Hicks, Sr., Bay City, Michigan, Wesley Hicks, Sr., Bay City, Michigan, Brigetta Gibbs, Summerville, South Carolina, Derrick Sr. (Tosha) Hicks, Saginaw, Michigan, Susan Hicks, Midland, Michigan, Eric (Paula) George, Orlando, Florida, Michael (Samantha) Scott, Bay City, Michigan, Chris, Travis, Darryl Nicholson, all of Saginaw, Michigan, Gabriel Nicholson, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Angela Robinson, Cleveland, Ohio, Delwan (Alea) Sword, Jacksonville, Florida; sister, Loretta Mitchell, Birmingham, Alabama; brothers, Willie Powell, Los Angeles, California, Charles Hicks, Birmingham, Alabama, Reginald (Alice) Hollis, Adamville, Alabama, Rickey (Florence) Gary, Birmingham, Alabama; uncle, Napoleon Williams, Birmingham, Alabama; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

The family would like to express a special thank you to Ray’s daughters-in-law, Tosha Parker and Jamie Hicks, the medical staff at Covenant HealthCare for providing exceptional care in his final hours, Ivan E. Phillips and the Staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel.

View Funeral Webcast