Thomas Eugene Hicks, Jr.

Dr. Tom Hicks, Emporia surgeon, died unexpectedly at his home on December 2, 2023. He was 70 years old.

Thomas E. Hicks, Jr. was born in Memphis, TN on April 29, 1953, to Thomas E. Hicks, Sr. and Mildred (McPherson) Hicks.

Thomas graduated from Liberal High School, the University of Kansas with a Pharmacy degree and then a Doctor of Medicine degree. He completed his residency at Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia and then entered private practice in Scott City, Kansas before moving to Emporia in 1987. He retired in 2014.

Thomas to few, Tom to many, and Doc to most, he made an impression on almost everyone he met.  Thomas cared deeply for his patients. He had an open heart and open door to those in need, whether it was a cat, dog, or person who needed a place to stay or a helping hand.

But his wry sense of humor and personal style meant he wore jeans and peace frog scrubs at work, and you were never sure what new project he might have in mind. (Like turning a Volkswagen Beetle into a ladybug.)

He was well known for his cooking (especially barbecuing, grilling, and smoking). He enjoyed collecting and working on Volkswagens and had the first “New” Volkswagen Beetle in town. He also got a kick out of driving one of the first Smart Cars in Emporia. Tom rode his Harley to Sturgis and once into the high school. He was involved with the kids' activities which included Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and orchestra. Fundraisers could count on him to make popcorn and snow cones.

Thomas met Julie Boetcher at KU, and they were married July 30, 1977, in Wilmette, IL.  Julie died from lymphoma in 1997.  He married Janet Ackerman on December 31, 1998, in Emporia.

Thomas is survived by wife Janet; daughter Lindsay and husband Patrick Brady of Gurnee, IL; son Jeffrey, wife Crystal, and granddaughter Darcy of Manhattan, KS; daughter Caitlin of Independence, MO; sister Pam of Garden City, KS. He was preceded in death by parents Thomas and Mildred and by wife Julie.

Thomas hated funerals, so there will not be one. He has been cremated and will be interred following a private graveside service at Maplewood Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Emporia. There will be a wake in the style that Thomas would have appreciated next year when we can gather outside.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his honor can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org/givehope), Emporia Animal Shelter, Friends of the Emporia Animal Shelter, or a charity of your choice and sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 175, Emporia, Kansas, 66801.