James "Mack" Hicks (Age 81) of La Plata, Maryland.

James Colbert Hicks, also affectionately known as "Mack" was born on July 28, 1936 in Faulkner, Maryland, Charles County Maryland, to the late Charles Henry Hicks and Lelia Theresa Bond Hicks. He was the eldest of three children. He departed this life on Friday, August 11, 2017 at his residence in LaPlata, Maryland. He was baptized as an infant into the Catholic faith and attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Mack attended public schools in Charles County, Maryland. He graduated from Bel Alton High School in 1954. He attended Cheyney Teachers College, Cheyney, Pennsylvania and Bowie State Teachers College, Bowie Maryland. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree and a Masters Degree in Administration from Bowie State Teachers College. He taught at White Marsh Elementary School in St. Mary's County for 35 years and retired in 1995.

Mack served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged after serving two years (1960-1962) in the Field Artillery Rocket Crewman Battalion in the Vietnam War.

Mack was very loving, kind and easy to get along with and cared about his family. His mother and Joseph Jones (PE Teacher at Bel Alton High School) had the most influence on his life. He was also at times serious and no nonsense.

Mack was a sports fanatic! He played basketball and football in college. He played sandlot baseball with a number of teams; LaPlata Rockets was the first team and it was made with all family members. His father and cousin, Little Leonard Brown, went to all his games no matter where they were. Charlie was proud of this son. He played with the Clinton Yellow Jackets, Pomonkey Browns and others teams. He was a very good baseball player, especially getting on base. His mother said that if Mack got a hit he would make it to first base! He played basketball on county teams with many of his friends. The fellows loved to play on his basketball team. He is credited by many friends as being a very good basketball instructor. He believed you had to practice sports if you wanted to be good. Mack could name every player and the position they played on every sports team with the exception of hockey. He was also an excellent bowler. In later years in order to keep up with his conversations, his sister had to either learn what he was saying, or, write it down.

Mack loved music and collected records, tapes and CDs. Before he got ill you could often find Mack in the basement watching the games on TV, playing music and doing puzzles. For hours we would listen to music he had recorded on large reels and cassette tapes.

Mack belonged to St. Mary's County Public School Retirees Association, Maryland Retired School Personnel Association and was a Life Member of the NAACP. He could tell you whenever construction changes were being made anywhere in the county.

Mack loved teaching and his students loved him. After he retired; Gloria asked if he would return to substitute for the county. Without a smile he said; "I retired.  I couldn't do anything with them then, what makes me think that I could do something with them now, I am RETIRED." Later in life he enjoyed playing pitch (cards) with Gary Hawkins as his partner and with the assistance of his mother against Mary Evelyn Brown and Gloria.

He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Henry Hicks and brother Charles Ralph Hicks.

Cherished memories will remain in the heart of his mother, Lelia; sister, Gloria Bransome Jefferson (Joshua); nephew, David Tyson Bransome; niece, Kim Theresa Bransome; devoted friend, Delores Brooks; play sister, Mary Evelyn Brown; friend, Thomas Livers (TomBoy) and a host of cousins and friends.

Viewing, 8:00 am until Mass of Christian Burial, 9:30 am, Friday, August 18, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 201 St. Mary's Avenue, La Plata, Maryland 20646.

Interment, Maryland Veteran Cemetery, 11301 Crain Highway, Cheltenham, Maryland 20623.