Reverend James D. Hicks went home to be with the Lord on Friday, June 12, 2015. He was born on August 17, 1927 in Century, FL. JD or Preacher, as he came to be known, entered the gospel ministry a few years after his discharge from the Navy following WWII. He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard College in Birmingham and his Masters of Divinity from the Southern Baptist Seminary in New Orleans, LA. He pastored churches in Alabama and Northwest Florida until his retirement in 1997. He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Elizabeth K. Hicks. He is survived by a son, Larry Hicks (Marie) and a daughter, Nadine Pitts; five grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. The family will receive friends at 3:00pm until the Memorial Service at 4:00pm on Monday, June 29, 2015 in Pleitz Chapel, First Baptist Church of Pensacola. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Locally Directed Mission Fund at First Baptist Church, 500 North Palafox Street, Pensacola, FL 32501.