James Alan Hicks was born on March 14, 1971, in Wake County, North Carolina, the son of Frances Medlin Hicks of Concord, North Carolina, and the late James Lawrence Hicks III.

In 1986, Alan began his career in fire safety with the Harrisburg Volunteer Fire Department. He was also affiliated with Flowes Store Volunteer Fire Department and Jackson Park Volunteer Fire Department. He served for ten years on Jackson Park, including two years as chief. He also worked for Concord Fire & Rescue for ten years and Badin Volunteer Fire Department. He then entered the Air National Guard Fire Department for five years, having served as captain for two years. He loved cooking at the fire house for his brothers. He found time in his busy life to also serve as a fire instructor at Cleveland Community College. Alan had a passion for the fire department and was dedicated to his job. Many of his fellow firefighters knew him as “Truck.”

Alan’s family meant the world to him. He was a loving husband, father, son, and brother. He enjoyed playing golf, going fishing, and spending vacations at Carolina Beach. He had a special bond with his beloved dog, Sassie. He was a member and deacon at Independence Square Baptist Church.

He will truly be missed by his wife of 26 years, Jenny Hicks; his son, Keith Hicks, and daughter in law, Nikki; his daughter, Amanda Hicks; his mother, Frances Hicks; his sister, Connie Hicks, and her wife, Yvonne; his grandfather, Lawrence Hicks Jr.; and his large extended family of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.

“Without fail, his first priority was his faith and the foundation of it all. Truck was a Christian. His second priority was his family. There was never a time I talked to him that his family wasn’t on his mind and that there wasn’t a story about what they had done together or what was going on at home. His third was his job. He was a good fireman. He done things right every time. He came to work early, he had his gear on the truck, he always knew where he was going, and he was always involved. I will miss “Truck” but will promise to you I will continue his legacy by telling his story when I can and using his life as an example of how to live. Like we all know, our separation is only temporary, and I look forward to seeing him again as do each of you.”