SR0859 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0859 LRB096 22464 KXB 41722 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Merritt L. Hicks Jr. of Chicago, who pased away on April 29, 2010; and

WHEREAS, Merritt Hicks Jr. was born on June 24, 1922 in New Orleans, Louisiana, to the union of Merritt L. Hicks Sr. and Mabel Washington; Mr. Hicks met the love of his life at Anderson High School in Austin, Texas; a few years later, they reconnected at a barn yard dance, and on April 17, 1944, Merritt and Bobbie Hicks were united in marriage; and

WHEREAS, For the next 66 years of marriage, Merritt and Bobbie raised their family in Chicago; Mr. Hicks was also known as Mr. Geechie Hicks; shortly after graduation from high school, Mr. Hicks joined the United States Navy and played in the band until he was given an Honorary Discharge; during World War II, he returned to Austin, Texas after being drafted by the U.S. Army Air Force Band; Mr. Hicks was honorably discharged from the military in August of 1945; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Hicks later developed his own local band, "Geechie Hicks and the Czars Band"; although his specialty was classical jazz, his band traveled around the Chicagoland area performing at various venues including; Italian and Jewish weddings, bar mitzvahs, and other special events playing polka, blues, and jazz; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Hicks wore his Stetson hats and developed his own 7 beat style; he played for Lionel Hampton, Louis Armstrong, BB King, and many more; he tap danced for Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, and various other artists; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Dorothy Eustace and Helen Childress; and one grandchild, Derrick; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Merritt Hicks Jr. is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 66 years, Mrs. Bobbie Hicks; his children, Merritt L. Hicks III (Veronica), Jacqueline, and Gwendolyn Hicks; his sisters, Audrey Villavaso and Aramenta Johnson; his six grandchildren, David, Darryl, Darren, Alain, Russell, and Natoya; his eight great-grandchildren; his three great-great-grandchildren; and his many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Merritt Hicks Jr.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Merritt Hicks Jr. as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.