Chester Hicks

Chester T. Hicks, 89, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 18, 2020 under the services of Covenant Care at West Florida Hospital. He was born to Chester T. Hicks, Sr. and Susie Watson Hicks on September 8, 1930 in Pensacola, Florida.  He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 37 years, Ruth Ann Hicks (nee Macko) and brothers Edgar Hicks and Neil Hicks and sisters Diana Covey and Margaret Hicks. Chester is survived by his children, Juanita (David) Johns, Wayne Hicks, Christina (Dennis) Krebs, Phillip (Diana Williams) Hicks, Deana (Robert) DiCosimo, five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, his brother, Kenneth Hicks, and many nieces and nephews.

Chester joined the United States Army Air Corps in 1946, transitioned into the United States Air Force in 1947, and was stationed at bases in Japan, Alaska, New Jersey, Arkansas, Maine and Hawaii. He retired from military service in 1969 with numerous medals and commendations. After retirement from the Air Force, he established private businesses of furniture upholstery and land clearing. Chester enjoyed many pastimes, to include cooking, winemaking, sailing, fishing, motorcycle riding, and participating for many years, and in various roles, in the Boy Scouts of America. Especially dear to his heart was Troop 409, in which he was proud to serve as a mentor to the special-needs scouts.

Services for Chester will begin with a viewing at 9:00 a.m. and a memorial service at 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at Rose Lawn Funeral Home and Cemetery, 2942 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32563. He will be interred at Barrancas National Cemetery, with Air Force Honors, aboard Pensacola Naval Air Station.