James Caton Hicks ( affectionately known by many as JC), was born on May 17, 1941, in Tyler, Texas to the late Raymond and Ruth B. Jordan-Hicks. He was the first of four children. His early education began in Texas, after graduating from Tyler High School he went to LaSierra University with the hope of pursuing a degree in pre-medicine. However, after his freshman year, he changed his major and left LaSierra University to attend Oakwood College where he earned a bachelor's degree in history with a minor in Psychology, Sociology, and Theology. He had a wealth of experience working with adults throughout the northeastern and southeastern United States and in the islands of Bermuda. He also worked with adults in community service activities and senior citizens to develop and exchange their skills in areas previously unfamiliar. He was the manager of a Mobile dental Clinic in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas providing free dental service and free hypertension and glaucoma screenings to the medically indigent. James was in many different conferences of the 7th Day Adventist, Atlantic Union, Northeastern Conference as a senior Pastor in New Rochelle, New York, and the southeastern conference where he pastored the town & country and Bethlehem SDA Churches. He was the departmental director for Sabbath School, Laymen's activities, Health, and Inner City Ministries. James pastored in the Southwest Region conference for sixteen-plus years. Senior pastor for eight years for the congregation in Wichita Falls, Houston, TX, Port Arthur, and Lake Charles, just to name a few. At the Atlantic Union Conference, he served as youth/family director.

He developed programs with six co-contributors, planning programs and events for the Northeast and Bermuda to support better relationships. While studying at Oakwood College he was involved with the Evangeleers, student government, college choir, basketball, softball, and flag football. He worked for the college bakery and handled deliveries. As the pastor for town & country and Bethlehem churches. In 2004 he got a call about one of his members who had just lost her son. He called her to offer his condolences and prayed with her. This encounter was the beginning of a new love story.  In 2005 they were married, they have been married for 25 years, holding true to until death do us part. There was never a dull moment when James was around. He was full of fun and laughter, and he loved people. He was an inspiration to many. James was preceded in death by parents, Raymond Hicks and Ruth Jordan-Hicks; brother, Ralph; sister, Helen Hicks. He leaves to cherish loving wife, Theresa; sons, Shannon Hicks (Cathy), and Terry Hicks; daughter, Jahala; step-daughter, Molly (Lance); step-son, Cuthbert (Tracey); grandchildren, Deja, Aliahana, Alexandria, Jasmine, Jaron, Ms. Beautiful, Natasha, Frederick, Aaliyah, Christian and Rupert; great-grandchildren, Noellie, Zanalyiah, Tristian, Riley and Aubri. Along with a host of friends and family members