Morris Wayne Hicks

In Loving Memory of Morris Wayne Hicks Morris Wayne Hicks of Maud, Texas known to many as "Lightnin" passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 29th at the age of 74. He was born at home February 25, 1944 to George Lenard and Theda Imogene (Caudle) of Maud. Wayne was a hard worker and spent his younger years tinkering with cars and honing his automotive mechanic skills. He worked numerous jobs, including Red River, Lonestar ammunition facilities and retired from Kelly Springfield/Goodyear after 31 years. During his time at Kelly, he made many process improvements, always creating new ways to make his job and those of others more efficient. Wayne loved the outdoors and was an avid sportsman. He was passionate about quail hunting with his beloved German Shorthair Pointer, Rex, in West Texas and deer hunting locally and in Colorado. Wayne passed his love of hunting to his son Michael and grandsons Matthew and Britton. Wayne loved to fish, when he had time off he could be found running trot lines on the Sabine, Red River and Kiamichi river bottoms. He and his wife, Arlene, once caught a 65 pound appaloosa catfish, the only fish they caught that day! He spent a lot of time on his lease in Lindale and deer camp in Maud, sitting around the campfire with a cold Schlitz, telling stories and tall, tall tales. It was high on the mountain during a deer hunting trip near Meeker, Colorado when he experienced a massive stroke in October 2000. Although limited in mobility, Wayne didn't give up on his passions. With assistance Wayne continued to fish from the boat and bank and would ride his Pug side by side around the deer lease giving strict instruction of how much Kool-Aid needed to be added to the corn for the deer feed. His disability certainly didn't keep him from enjoying a cold beer with family and friends telling stories, often more than once. He also enjoyed going to the casino and playing the slot machines for hours. His dachshunds Rex and Rusty were always in his lap or by his side as faithful companions providing unconditional love and comfort. Wayne testified to Reverend Holt that Jesus Lord is his Savior on November 7, 2017. Wayne is preceded in death by his parents Lenard and Theda, brothers Jimmy and Charles Ray. Wayne is survived by his wife Arlene Hester (Sherrell) of 42 years, son Michael Wayne Hicks and Jennifer Pruitt of Lindale, daughter Cherie Marie and husband Terry Teel of Highland Village, daughter Mary Laura and husband Ronnie Vandiver of Lindale, grandchildren Matthew, Nicole, Meagan, Ashlee, Britton, Kaylah and Dalton, great grandchildren Lucas, Phoenix, Christian and Layla. He is also survived his sister Kathryn and husband Mike Chiles of Maud as well as many nieces and nephews who will miss him dearly. Serving as pallbearers will be Matthew Hicks, Chris Hicks, Matt Chapman, Britton Teel, Terry Teel and Ronnie Vandiver. Honorary pallbearers are Ted Barberee and Mike "Boss" Barberee. Augustine Alaniz will conduct the service and the funeral is under the direction of Chapelwood Funeral Home in Texarkana, Texas. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 6:00 8:00 PM, Sunday, December 2. The funeral will be at his home church, Faith Community Baptist Church in Maud on Monday, December 3 at 2:00 PM. Interment will be at Center Ridge Cemetery, Maud, TX. The register book can be signed online at chapelwoodfuneralhome.com.