Horace 'Arnold' Hicks

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Mr. Horace "Arnold" Hicks, 77, of Blytheville, went to be with the Lord Sunday morning, March 11, 2012, from the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. After a short battle with pancreatic and liver cancer, he is now reunited with Reba, his wife of 58 years, who entered heaven in May of 2011.

Born in Boonesville, Miss., Arnold was the son of the late Samuel Elijah Hicks and Ola Elizabeth Southern Hicks. He was saved and baptized at Blytheville First Lutheran Church.

Arnold worked for International Harvester as a heavy equipment truck technician, with longtime friend Leslie Moody. He was retired from Littrell-Ozier Ford Company in Blytheville.

He had many hobbies including dirt track racing (he was also a big Nascar fan), fishing, deer hunting and playing cards and games with his wife and numerous close friends. In addition, he loved watching Westerns on TV and traveling with his lifetime partner and their friends. They took several scenic and adventurous trips together through the years.

In addition to his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by one brother, James Hicks, and one sister, Carolyn Wheaton.

Arnold is survived by one daughter, Karen VanDyke and her husband, Jerry, of Jonesboro;

One son, Michael Hicks of Bowie, Texas;

Two brothers, Don Hicks and his wife, Tammy, of Memphis, and Jerry Hicks and his wife, Agnes, of Portageville, Mo;

Two sisters, Mary McCain and Sharon Wages and her husband, Sam, all of New Madrid, Mo;

Four grandchildren, Brandon VanDyke and his wife, Sandy, of Cooter, Corey VanDyke of Ottawa, Canada, Kristy Hicks Thompson of Bowie, Texas, and Brandy Hicks Shurlock of New Albany, Ill.;

Four great-grandchildren, Skyler VanDyke, Shylan VanDyke, Kiley Caveness and Miley Thompson;

A former daughter-in-law, Donna Haney of Bowie, Texas; and

Many friends and relatives, including his wife's family, to whom he was very close, and loved dearly.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. today at Carney Funeral Home with Dr. Tommy J. Carney officiating.

Condolences can be offered at www.carneyfuneralhome.com