James Nelson Hicks Jr.

James Nelson Hicks, Jr., Colonel, USAF (Ret), age 95, a resident of Albuquerque since 1981, died on July 25, 2024. Jim was born on July 31, 1928, in Martinsburg, WV, graduated from Martinsburg HS in 1946 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1948. In 1949, he was selected for the Naval Academy Preparatory School and entered the U. S. Naval Academy in 1950. He graduated in 1954 and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He entered the Civil Engineering career field where he remained until his retirement in 1981. Subsequent to initial assignments at two Air Force bases, he was assigned to the Air Force Institute of Technology, with duty at the University of Illinois, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering in 1959. He served in a variety of civil engineering duty assignments including ballistic missiles, base engineering and construction, Thailand and HQ Pacific Air Forces Hawaii. In 1965 he was assigned to the 3rd Civil Engineering Squadron, 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Bien Hoa Air Base Vietnam. He then served two tours of duty with the Air Force Weapons Laboratory, Kirkland AFB, from 1964-1965 and 1967-1970. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel in 1976 and in 1978 served as the Base Civil Engineer at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio and Commander of the 2750th Civil Engineering Squadron. During his 27 years of service, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, three Air Force Commendation Medals and numerous other decorations and citations. After his military service, he joined the City of Albuquerque as the Assistant City Engineer and then Executive Principle Engineer of the Public Works Department from 1981 to 1994. He is survived by his daughter Pamela, son’s David and his wife Cathy, Brian and his wife Vivian; brother Dale and niece Carolyn Matthews and her husband Gary; three grandchildren, Ashleigh, Brandon, Sabra Dake and her husband Kyle, and great-grandchildren Colin Dake, Addison, Bowen and Bella. 

Viewing and services will be held on August 16, 2024, at 10:00 am at FRENCH- Lomas followed by entombment at 12:30 pm at the Mausoleum of the Gate of Heaven where he will be rejoined with his beloved wife of 69 years Mary (Lynn) Hicks. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Air Force Aid Society @ AFAS.org.