James Weldon Hicks, of Sugar Land, TX, passed away Friday, December 13, 2024, in Katy, TX.

Weldon was born on October 14, 1935, in Comanche, Texas, to James Monroe and Pebble Cottrell Hicks. He attended Comanche High School where he excelled in athletics, which provided him a path to the Baylor University football team from 1954-1958.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science, in 1958, he married and began his "dream job" as a football and track coach in San Marcos and Rockport. Weldon and his family moved to Rosenberg, in 1960, where he spent the remaining 37 years of his career at Lamar Consolidated Independent School District. As a coach, Weldon and his athletes experienced many successes. These ranged from district championships to national notoriety. In 1971, Weldon earned his Master of Education and in 1974 moved into administrative duties within the district. While at Lamar, he enjoyed chaperoning senior students to Washington DC for the Close Up program, a week-long exposure to the workings of our federal government. He also worked closely with all branches of the U.S. military in the recruitment of graduating students. Weldon's jovial personality overlapped into his style of teaching. This was evident in his summer drivers' education classes. He and teaching partner, Worth Ross, created the urban legend of the infamous Cat Woman of Thompsons Bottom. This delighted some and terrified others.

Away from the academic setting, Weldon was a member of the Masonic Morton Lodge in Richmond. In leisure, Weldon loved his lake house and fishing. With his fishing, came the fish tales enhancing his adventures.

Retirement brought traveling with family and his close friend, Leon Williams. Because he loved a good cup of coffee more than a cocktail, he collected coffee mugs along the way to journal his travels. This collection became quite excessive to those who knew him.

Weldon is survived by his daughter Lise Schwartzkopf and husband, Lee; daughter Kimberly Salch and husband, Clayton; son, Chad Hicks and wife, Rainey; grandchildren, Jason Schwartzkopf; Blake Schwartzkopf and partner, Andrea; Alexandra (A.J.) Salch Kimbrough and husband, Aaron; Parker Hicks; Katherine (Kappy) Hicks; and mother to his children, Shirley M. Hicks.

In addition to his parents, Weldon is preceded in death by brothers Jack and Garland (Speedy) Hicks, and wife Suzanne Irby Hicks.

Visitation will be held from 5 - 7:00 PM Thursday, December 19, 2024, at Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors Chapel, 1201 4th Street, Rosenberg, Texas 77471. A private family burial will be held in Comanche, Texas, at a later date.

Memorials can be made to Comanche Educational Foundation, 1004 E. Central Avenue, Comanche, TX 76442.

RIP, Coach, "How 'bout a cup of Joe, thank ya, please"

Condolence messages may be written for the Hicks family at www.garmanycarden.com

Services are under the direction of Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors, 1201 4th Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471 (281)342-4671.