Richard Eugene "Gene" Hicks, Jr., 56, of Orange, passed away Sunday, July 13, 2008 in Starks, Louisiana.

Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday July 19, 2008 at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Orange. Officiating will be Pastor E. Dale Lee of Cowboy Church in Orange.

Interment will be held at Houston National Cemetery at a later date.

Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 18, at the funeral home.

Gene was born on July 4, 1952 in Orange to Dickey and Beulah Hicks. He worked as a welder for American Bridge and is a U.S. Army veteran. Gene was a graduate of West Orange High School who loved to fish and also had great love and pride for his country.

Gene is preceded in death by his parents.

Those left to cherish his memories are his daughter, Kathy Lenz of Holland, Netherlands and sister, Patricia Sullivan and husband John of Sugar Land.

Also surviving Gene are three nephews, Matthew Sullivan of Mountain View, Arkansas, Mark Sullivan of Houston and Gregory Sullivan of Brooklyn, New York.