Leon Hicks

Cecil Leon Hicks was born July 2, 1943 in Taloga, Oklahoma, to Cecil Nelson Hicks and Faye (Valentine) Hicks.

Reared and educated in Taloga, Leon played basketball for the Panthers. After the game, he could be found dragging Main, all of two street blocks in Leedey.

Not afraid of hard work, Leon began working at an early age doing various jobs. He worked for a printing press, threw newspapers from his bike, pumped gas at the filling station, and worked on the farm during wheat harvest and raised cattle. He also worked at Ford Glass Plant, Ramsey Winch and drew blueprints.

It was on an ordinary Tuesday night that Leedey played Taloga in a basketball game, but something extraordinary happened that night. Leon, 16 years old, would meet the love of his life, a beautiful young lady by the name of Regina Boggs. He asked if he could drive her home, however her dad would not let him. He then asked Regina out on an official date, December 5, 1959. This date became their last first date!

Regina’s parents, of course, approved of Leon and the couple began a three-year courtship. Six months into their young relationship, Leon asked Regina to marry him. She said yes, but not until they finished high school. Until then, she proudly wore his initial ring!

Leon graduated from Taloga High School in 1961. He began college that fall at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford. Regina started college the following year. Soon after the semester began, Leon’s 10-year-old brother died of cerebral palsy. During this tragic time, the couple decided it was time to tie the knot. The ceremony was held at the First Missionary Baptist Church in Leedey on November 21, 1962.

Graduating in 1965 from Southwestern Oklahoma State University with a degree in Education, Leon sought employment with Bixby Public Schools. While teaching, he also pursued a master’s degree from NSU/Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Leon taught Oklahoma History and Drafting for five years before becoming the high school counselor for six years. After eleven years, Leon began teaching drafting at Jenks Middle School for one year. He retired as the middle school counselor in 1993.

At the young age of 11, Leon accepted Christ as his Savior. God has remained foremost in his and Regina’s lives. The couple has been blessed beyond words and to Him they give all the praise.

Leon and Regina made Riverview Baptist their church home in Bixby. There, Leon was an ordained deacon. He was involved with the choir, youth Sunday school and attended choir trips. Also, at Jenks, he was a sponsor for Trojans for Christ. In 1986, the couple moved their membership to South Tulsa Baptist Church where they remain faithful members. Leon taught the 3 and 4 year-old Sunday school class for more than 30 years, was involved with the youth, served as a deacon, and belonged to the choir, volunteered with the Stephen Ministry, Community Chaplaincy, and Hospice.

Leon passed away June 23, 2022. He was 78. Had Leon lived five more months, then they would have celebrated 60 years of marriage.

Those he leaves to cherish his memory are his wife, Regina Hicks; daughter, Lesa Hunter and husband, Buddy; sons, Dr. Tony Hicks and wife, Linda, Jerod Hicks and wife, Jordan; ten grandchildren, Michelle, Matt, Jacob, Jordan, Madeline, Samantha, Avery, Harlow, Scarlett, and Roman; great granddaughter, Rosha; aunts, Jewel Young, Chris Douglas; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Nelson and Ida Hicks, Roy and Pansy Valentine; parents, Cecil and Faye Hicks; brothers, Roy Nelson Hicks and Loren Eldon Hicks; and several aunts and uncles.

 

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