Raymond Lee Hicks, Jr.

Raymond Lee (Rusty) Hicks, Jr., 70, of Waco, passed away September 12, 2022. A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, September 17, at First Woodway Baptist Church with Dr. Paul Sands officiating. Visitation will be Friday, September 16, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home.

Rusty was born in Waco to Ray and Jayne Hicks. He graduated from Richfield High School in 1970, then attended and graduated from Baylor University where he played baseball for the Baylor Bears. After graduation, he moved to Houston, to work for Harvey Advertising and while on a company trip to Mallorca, Spain, met his wife Martha Ryan Hicks. They were married on April 11, 1981. For the next 34 years they lived in Houston and raised their three children: Ray, Ryan, and Jenny. In 2015, he and Martha moved to Waco.

In addition to his work at Harvey Advertising, Rusty was widely known in Houston area sports programs. He was Executive Director of the Karl Young College Baseball league, an umpire for Baseball USA, and was Crew Chief of a high school football officiating crew. If not enough, he also refereed NCAA basketball for the SWAC and the Big 12.

In 2005, Rusty co-founded Combat Marine Outdoors, a 501c3 organization which provides outings for combat-wounded Marines and warriors from all branches of the military. The organization has been credited for its outstanding service and commitment to our wounded warriors. In 2015, in recognition of his service, the United States Marine Corp made Rusty an Honorary Marine. He retired from CMO in 2019 and joined TSTC in its foundation office.

Rusty was preceded by in death by his father, Ray Hicks. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Martha; son, Ray Hicks III and granddaughter, Jane; son, Ryan Hicks and wife, Megan; grandsons, Thomas and Charles and granddaughter, Molly; daughter, Jenny Rieger and husband, Brad; and grandsons, Emmett and Ruston. He is also survived by his mother, Jayne Hicks; brother, David (Bubba) Hicks; and wife, Davina.

Honorary Pallbearers are John Cathey, Dr. Thomas Patton, Dr. Rusty Rowe, Stan Young, and all CMO warriors.

Memorials may be made to TSTC Aviation Scholarship Fund at TSTC Foundation 3810 Campus Dr. Waco, TX 76705; First Woodway Baptist Church 101 Ritchie Rd Woodway, TX 76712; or charity of your choice.