James Earnest Hicks (Jim) passed away February 28, 2026 at Scott & White Hospital in Temple, Tx. at the age of 88. A celebration of life will be held Sunday, March 15, 2026 at Bend Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m. with a visitation to follow.

Jim was born May 23, 1937 in Lampasas County at Bend, Tx. to William Robert Hicks (Bob) and Jennie May Towerton. He spent most of his life at Bend. He graduated from Lampasas High School in 1955. In April 1960 he married Orabeth Landers. In April they would have been married 66 years. He was drafted into the Army in August 1960 and was stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington until his discharge in August 1962.

He was a past member of the Texas Young Farmers at San Saba and past President of the Bend Community Association. He welded for the public for many years. In later years he got a lot of pleasure trapping wild hogs for the public.

He was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Emily Ann Bryant; brothers, Robert Lee Hicks, Douglas Hicks, Tommy Hicks, John Hicks, and Raymond Hicks; and sister, Willie Morgan.

He is survived by his wife, Orabeth Hicks; son, Jimmy Hicks; daughters, Elaina Hooten (Rodney), and Lewann Turner (Chad); granddaughters, Ruby Amthor (Marcus), Jimma Guidroz (Ryan), Elizabeth Poe (Winston), Catherine Hicks, Kenlee Turner, and Ashlyn Ellis (Russton); grandsons, Ralston Hooten (Brooke), John Brooks (Alyssa), and Wes Bryant (Michelle); great granddaughters, Zoe Poe, Chloe Poe, Aubrie Guidroz, Sadie Brooks, Parker Brooks, and Aveigh Galbreath; great grandsons, Rein Hooten, Hayden Guidroz, Macon Amthor, Rhett Ellis and Tate Poe; brothers, Roland Hicks and Paul Hicks; sisters, Shirley Norris, Pam Hicks, Kathy Carroll, and Roxie Schlegel.

Memorials may be made to the Bend Methodist Church or Bend Cemetery Association.

Arrangements are under the direction of Blaylock Funeral Home of San Saba.

Online condolences can be made at www.blaylockfuneralhome.com