Bobby Gene Hicks

MIDLAND — Bobby Gene Hicks passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, Friday, Sept. 2, 2016 at the age of 89.
Celebration of life: 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, at the First Baptist Church of Midland Chapel. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon.
Interment: Bob will be laid to rest in a private graveside service at Waco Memorial Park.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Bob’s memory to Texas Broadcast Education Foundation, Ann Arnold Center, 502 E. 11th St., Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78701
Bobby Gene Hicks was born June 3, 1927 in China Spring, Texas to James Martin and Winnie Lucille Hicks. The oldest of 3, Bob and his sisters grew up in and around the Waco, Texas area.
After graduating from Waco High School, Bob enlisted in the United States Navy in March 1945. He served in the Pacific Rim at the end of World War II. Bob then enrolled in Baylor University and took a radio course, which ignited the spark for his 54 year-long career in radio broadcasting.
Bob married Gloria Ann Wemple in 1947, and they had five children together.
After earning his Engineer’s License, Bob began his radio career in Uvalde. Throughout his broadcasting profession, Bob owned and/or operated radio stations in Uvalde, Falfurrias, Raymondville, and Midland. He was also a skilled investor in the stock market.
Bob was involved with a multitude of organizations and charities, such as the Texas Association of Broadcasters, the National Association of Broadcasters, the Kiwanis Club and the Presidential Museum of Odessa.
Some of his greater contributions include leading the construction of the 24,000 square foot Texas Association of Broadcasters facility in Austin, restoring and rebuilding churches, spearheading the adoption of the Texas Open Meetings Law, and serving as the youngest Lt. Governor of the Kiwanis Club for the State of Texas. Bob held a Perfect Attendance Record for 61 years with Kiwanis.
Bob will always be remembered for his commitment and contributions to the radio industry in general, his public service work, his political and legislative interests, his church work, and his loyal dedication to his many friends. He said the greatest joy in his life was his five children, watching them grow and living to see all of them as successful adults with families of their own.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents, James Martin and Winnie Lucille Hicks and son, Michael Gene Hicks.
Survivors: Bob is survived by his children, Deborah Lynn Corby, Gloria Gale Thompson, Patrick Allen Hicks and Lisa Ann Meade; his 2 sisters, Dorothy Springfield and Betsy Wirtz; fourteen grandchildren; seventeen great grandchildren; and many friends.

BROWN, OWENS & BRUMLEY
Family Funeral Home & Crematory
425 S. Henderson, 817-335-4557