Larry Hicks Obituary

Larry Hicks ATHENS, TN - Larry Hicks, 75, of Athens, TN, passed away Saturday, January 8, 2022 at his home. A native of Cleveland, TN, Larry had lived in Athens since 1987. For 15 years, he ran the local Ford dealership. Larry was preceded in death by his mother, Mildred Green Hicks, father-in-law, Murl Hampton, maternal grandparents, John Henry and Gussie Green, paternal grandparents, Minnie and Thomas Hicks, brother-in-law, Larry O'Neal "Chip" Chandler. A lifetime of loyal canine friends preceded Larry, as well as friends, Roy the Cat and Carl Dupree. Larry was a 1964 graduate of Bradley County High School and served for years in the Tennessee National Guard. He was in the car business for over 50 years, starting with CC Card in Cleveland, and owned several retail and wholesale automobile companies over the years. He also worked thousands of auto auctions up and down the coast, and never forgot what he had in a vehicle no matter how much time had passed. Larry loved politics and hated fake news. He was an avid western lover, but most of all Larry enjoyed being at home on the farm with his friends and dogs, within sight of the Tennessee mountains, where he spent so much time over the years hunting, fishing, four-wheeling and riding motorcycles. Larry is survived by his wife, Shannon Hampton Hicks of Athens; father, Hershel Hicks of Cleveland; sons and their spouses, Brian P. and Beth Hicks of Charleston, SC, K. Todd and Tina Hicks of Medina,TN; grandchildren, Cole and Nate Hicks of Charleston, SC, Sarah Hicks of Cleveland,TN , Hannah and Jacob Poteet of Nashville, TN, Katie and Mason Hicks of Medina, TN; mother-in-law, Joyce Newman Hampton of Athens; sister, Sandra Hughes and husband Bill Hughes of Chattanooga; brother and his wife, Jonny and Cindy Hicks of Cleveland; sister-in-law, Holly Hampton Chandler of Athens; brother-in-law and his wife, Matt and Stacy Hampton of Dayton, TN; nieces and nephews, Cindy Hicks Phillips and Lexi Hicks, John Hicks all of Cleveland, Richard and Scott Hughes of Chattanooga, Madison, Mallory and Sydney Hampton all of Dayton, Jack Chandler of Athens. Larry is also survived by loyal canine friends, Hobson, Dobbs, Ivy, Sable Blaney, Gardner, Brewster and Wilbur. A memorial service will be conducted, 7 pm Friday, January 14th in the chapel of Smith Funeral Home with Jayson Vicars officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 4:00-7:00 pm prior to the service. Honorary pallbearers will be John Stockard, Chuck Currence, John Manning, Jayson Vickers, Steven Anderson, Jerry Caldwell, Gary Williams and Derick Mercer. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital-Tribute, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 or McMinn County Regional Humane Society, 219 Alford Street, Athens, TN 37303. You may sign the guest register at www.smithfuneralandcremationservicesofathens.com. Smith Funeral & Cremation Services of Athens is honored to serve the family of Larry Hicks. Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston