Obituary of John H. Hicks

John Hicks passed away unexpectedly at home on June 22, 2023.   It had recently been discovered that Mr. Hicks had long-undiagnosed pancreatic cancer.

John was born in Evanston, Illinois to A. Hunter and Marjorie B. Hicks.  He grew up in the village of Inverness, Illinois, 35 miles northwest of Chicago. His father Hunter commuted to Chicago by train 6 days per week, as was the norm for businessmen of the day: Monday through Friday, plus ½ day on Saturdays. 

John’s father Hunter was an avid and champion golfer was known widely throughout the Midwest. He introduced his teenage son to the game of golf at Skokie Country Club in Glencoe, Illinois.  John’s passion for golf took him playing all over the country, in many parts of the world, and primarily at his home club, Knollwood Club in Lake Forest, Illinois. He ultimately followed his father’s lead to Hilton Head Island, where his parents relocated from Chicago in the 1960’s and were among the first people to build a home in Sea Pines. Numerous visits to Hilton Head over decades brought John to see the newly, staked-out Jack Nicklaus golf course in Colleton River in 1992. He and Althea loved the view on what is now the 9^th ladies’ tee and they purchased their lot overlooking the tidal marsh.

John attended Palatine High School in Palatine, Illinois, and later Dartmouth College, graduating with the class of 1965. He was active in golf, swimming, diving, baseball and skiing throughout his high school and college years. He also served two years in the United States Navy, stationed at Newport News, Virginia.

 John started his professional career in Chicago. Prior to 1976 he was a Registered Representative with three New York Stock Exchange member firms, initially in retail sales, then concentrating on institutional sales beginning in 1971.

In 1976, John became a member of the Chicago Board Options Exchange where he acted primarily as a market-maker, managing and funding his own account. His membership with the CBOE continued until the end of 2000.

In 1980, John joined William Blair & Co, a NYSE member firm headquartered in Chicago.  At Blair, his focus was on institutional sales and trading for large mutual fund and pension fund accounts.  He retired in 2000 as a General Partner.

Mr. Hicks is survived by his wife Althea McCutcheon Hicks; three children, Shreve Roberts; Kathryn Gulick (Ryan); and J. Hunter Hicks, Jr; three grandchildren, Maclaren Gulick, Everett Gulick, and Rune Roberts; brother Stephen Hicks and his wife Barbara, and two nieces.

There will be a reception and gathering of friends and family to celebrate John’s life on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, from 5-8 pm in Colleton River at the Jack Nicklaus Clubhouse. 

Donations in John’s memory can be made to: Evans Scholars Foundation, which awards college scholarships to young golf caddies: www.wgaesf.org  or Hilton Head Humane Association Feral Cat Program:  www.hhhumane.org.