Robert David Hicks of Ponce de Leon, Florida passed away peacefully at his home March 26, 2024, he was 81 years old.

Mr. Hicks was born November 17, 1942, in Ponce de Leon, Florida to the late Joe D. and Lyndal Rhodes Hicks.  He was a lifelong member of Otter Creek Community Church where he served on the board, was the adult Sunday school teacher for 30 years, led singing, and, along with his sister Jo Ann, was instrumental in founding the monthly sings at the church.  He was a member of the graduating class of 1960 from Ponce de Leon High School and was a member of the 1960 Pirate basketball state championship team. He was a welder by trade and retired from the Florida Department of Transportation in 2003 after 40 years of service. Additionally, he served in the Florida Army National Guard, he loved to farm and grow a garden and enjoyed riding horses with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe D. and Lyndal Rhodes Hicks, his father and mother-in-law Eddis and Ruth Gainous Thomas, his sisters, Jo Ann Hicks Skipper, Janet Riddle, Ada Brown, and Kathy Hicks, lifelong friend and brother-in-law J.B. Yates, nephews Ted Johnston, and Dale Herman, and great niece Tess Johnston.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nora Mae Thomas Hicks, son Thomas David Hicks and wife Donna, grandson Matthew David Hicks and wife Tara, granddaughter Makala Danielle Hicks Ellenburg and husband Daimen, two great grand daughters Ruby Ann Hicks and Nora Leigh Ellenburg, sister Mary Hermann and husband Tom, sister-in-law Tessie Yates, sixteen nieces and nephews, numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews, a vast network of extended family, many friends and former coworkers.

A time of visitation will be held 6:00 -8:00 PM, Friday, March 29, 2024 at Clary Glenn Funeral Home Chapel; 230 Park Avenue, DeFuniak Springs, Florida.

Funeral services will be held  10:00 AM, Saturday, March 30, 2024 at Clary Glenn Funeral Home.

Interment will follow in Otter Creek Church Cemetery, Ponce de Leon, Florida. Serving as Pallbearers are Matthew Hicks, Daimen Ellenburg, Randall Skipper, Richard Yates, Ryan Yates, and Ray Watson.  Honorary pallbearers are Kenny Thomas, Randall Yates, and Lonzo Hornsby.

The family would like to thank Toni, Rachel, and Bonnie with Covenant Care Hospice, along with numerous others who helped to provide care on his behalf. In addition, Kristy Wade has provided compassionate care through home health services. We can never thank these individuals enough for the kindness shown to our family.