Johnny E. Hicks

Johnny Edward Hicks, 87 of Moberly, MO  passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus at Monroe Manor, November 13, 2025 with his daughters by his side. 

Johnny was born, July 21, 1938, to Harlin N. and Edith M. (Baker) Hicks. He grew up on a farm east of Calro, MO. He was the oldest of eight children.

Johnny was a 1956 graduate of Cairo High School where he excelled as a member of the Bearcat Basketball team. He was shooting three-point shots before they became part of the scoring system.

Johnny dated the little Rafferty girl from Moberly, who was head over heels about him. Johnny and Barbara married and welcomed two daughters to their family. During their life together, they lived in Moberly, MO, Fulton, MO, Linn, MO and Clark, MO before circling back to Moberly. Barbara preceded him in death on March 11, 2023. 

Johnny worked at Kilgore Service Station in Cairo, MO before starting a 30-year career with the United States Postal Service in 1962. From 1962 -1977 he worked as a carrier and clerk and then was promoted to Postal Superintendent in Fulton where he worked for nine months and was then promoted to Postmaster in Linn, MO where he retired from in 1992. After a short stint of retirement, Johnny began a part-time position at Sears working there a few years before fully taking the title of truly Retired.  

Johnny loved sports, both playing and watching. He played on many recreational basketball teams and spent several years playing competitive fast-pitch softball for the team that eventually became the Moberly Merchants. One year, Barbara gifted him with a membership to the Linn Country Club which his response was “I’ll never use this”. Those words were never farther from the truth. Until retirement he would hit the links on the weekends and then following retirement it was almost daily. He traveled with friends and family to play outside of Missouri as well as many of the courses within Missouri.

Johnny was the greatest of fans of the St. Louis Cardinals. As a young man he dreamed of playing for the Cards. Very seldom did he miss watching a game or as a young man, listening to a game on the radio. 

Johnny had a heart for service lending a hand to a neighbor, family member or a church need. He was an active member of the Moberly Jaycees and the Linn Lion’s Club. Johnny was quite the handyman. If he didn’t know how to fix something, he would take the time to figure it out. The Hicks home very seldom employed the services of outside professional services.

Shortly after moving to Linn, Johnny accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior being baptized in the family of Christ. Both Barbara and he were actively involved in sharing the love of Jesus through their services at First Baptist Church of Linn, MO. 

The most wonderful trait of Johnny Hicks was his love for his family. His daughters just had to make a call, and he would be available to help with any problem. He loved his grandchildren and tried to attend their extra-curriculars whenever possible. As the big brother, he took the role very seriously and did everything in his power to be there for his siblings.

Hanging out at the Hicks home meant playing games. Four-point pitch was a favorite of Johnny’s and being very competitive showed no mercy no matter what game was being played.

If all dogs go to heaven, then we are certain Johnny was greeted by a pack of canines. He loved all dogs! He was especially proud to let people know that Barbara and he owned three sets of basset hounds over the years. 

Johnny is survived by his daughters, Tammy (Craig) Warson of Blue Springs, MO and Theresa “Terri” Hicks of St. Louis, MO his grandchildren, Randa Crutcher, London, UK and Caleb Warson Lee’s Summit, MO. He is also survived by six siblings-Beverly Coureton, Wanda Mathis, Nadine Pastrovich, Charles (Bonnie)Hicks, Randy (Penny) Hicks and Bobbi (Dean) Smith, one brother-in-law, Tom Rafferty and sister-in-law, Brenda Rafferty. He is also survived by several cousins, nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his wife of over 62 years, Barbara Rafferty Hicks, his parents, Harlin and Edith Hicks and parent-in-laws, Virgil and Zoa Rafferty., one brother, Leon Hicks, brothers-in-law, Charles Coureton, Norman Mathis, Edward Pastrovich and Billy Bob Rafferty; and one sister-in-law, Judy Hicks. 

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials to the St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the Alzheimer's Association
225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601.

Words of comfort and support were shared with the family at a visitation held at the Cater Funeral Home. A Funeral Service honoring Mr. Hick's life was held at the First Assembly of God Church, Moberly, MO. Committal prayer and burial took place at the Felps Cemetery.