Bob Hicks (3)

Robert Lee Hicks (May 25, 1936 - January 22, 2009) was an American pastor and musician from Indiana. Hicks joined the Marine Corps. during the Korean War in 1953. In the 1970's, he and friend Harlan Slinkard formed the Indiana based bluegrass band First Annual Farewell Reunion, in which Hicks played guitar and performed vocals. In 1978, the band released their only studio album, 'First Time Around.' Hicks performed lead vocals on three songs, "Right Life Now," "Some Old Day," and part of "Dixieland for Me." In addition, Hicks played guitar on all songs and composed the music for the song "The Foolish Game." After the band disbanded in the early 1980's, Hicks devoted himself to serving various Baptist churches, first as a deacon, and later as a pastor, until shortly before his death in January 2009. In 2004, Hicks was diagnosed with a form of brain cancer. After undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, Hicks' cancer went into remission before returning in early 2008. A year later, on January 22, 2009, Hicks died at his Indiana home, surrounded by family.