Harold Earl Hicks

Harold Earl Hicks of Aurora, NC died November 22, 2015 at the age of 85.

Born in Iron Mountain, Michigan, Harry was a standout on his high school basketball team and after graduating joined the U.S. Coast Guard. After serving two years on the Rock of Ages Lighthouse off the coast of Isle Royal, Lake Superior, Harry headed out west to settle in California. After 30 years of working for Pacific Bell as a lineman and repairman he retired and spent much of his time helping others. Being a craftsman, photographer, and an avid outdoorsman Harry knew how to use his hands and found a new passion in building homes for Habitat for Humanity with his beautiful wife, Joanne S. Hicks as his companion in every project. They decided after several years with Habitat to broaden their focus for helping others. This led them to serve abroad. The m/v Anastasis a mercy ship serving areas of need throughout the United States, Europe, Central American and Africa.

However, more than any of Harry’s adventures or experiences, he will mostly be remembered for his quick smile and the perpetual twinkle in his eye. Harry had a keen knack for striking up a conversation with a perfect stranger at anytime and with a quick witted comment, he would have them chuckling and smiling themselves. Even in his illness with Alzheimer’s disease he still maintained his sense of humor and could quickly warm up the room for all of those caring for him.

Harry will be deeply missed by many who had the pleasure of crossing paths with him, including his son, Carl S. Ray and wife, Julie, of Santa Cruz, Calif., his stepchildren who all claim to never have felt like stepchildren, Stephen R. Adolphson and wife, Cathey of Aurora, Susan Adolphson Rose and husband, Jim, of Rio Vista, Calif., and Andrew J. Adolphson and wife, Noreen, of Poulsbo, Wash.; brother, William “Bill” Hicks and wife, Lorraine, of Iron Mountain, Mich.; grandchildren, Christopher Adolphson, Justin Adolphson and wife, Ashley, Clayton Ray, Mason Ray and Darylanna Keegan; great-grandchildren, Laura Adolphson and Sophia Adolphson; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

His funeral services will be held 1 p.m., Wednesday, November 25th at Campbell’s Creek Methodist Church with Rev. Steve Stutts officiating. Interment will follow in Friendship Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requested memorial contributions be made to Habitat for Humanity of Pamlico, PO Box 3, Grantsboro, NC 28529.