Born Feb. 24, 1929 in Port Royal to Robert and Nell Jones Hicks, Clarence Flippo Hicks, 86, died peacefully in his sleep on Aug. 13, 2015 in Gloucester.
Flip was a child of the depression who started school in a one-room schoolhouse, yet rose to be the President of the Virginia State Bar and did much for his state in a career spanning six decades.
After graduating from Caroline County High School, he spent six years at the University of Virginia, completing a B.A. in Commerce (1949) and J.D. (1952). Always quick with a quip or comment, open to anyone visiting his home on the Ware River, he lived an outsized life of consequence.
As Deputy Attorney General in the 1950s, he was instrumental in the adoption of the Maryland and Virginia Potomac River Compact of 1958 and the establishment of the Potomac River Fisheries Commission. As a practicing lawyer working in Gloucester and Richmond, he served as the Chief Counsel of the Virginia Association of Counties where he worked on landmark decisions including integration, annexation, school funding, public kindergarten, and the statewide sales tax. Although he argued some of these cases all the way up to the Supreme Court and moved effortlessly through some of the most serious and far-reaching legislation the state had worked on since the Civil War, he identified himself as a “Country Lawyer.” This was most apparent when he accepted oysters, clams and fish from local watermen as payment for services rendered when times were tough.
He was a lifelong member of Ware Episcopal Church. He served on the board of directors for First Virginia Bank, Saint Paul’s College, Vestry of Ware Episcopal Church, the Rotary Club, the Ruritans, and numerous other civic and professional organizations.
His wife of 30 years, Patricia “Patsy” DeHardit Hicks, and his son, John Flippo Hicks, predeceased him.
Patsy was the love of his life. They were fortunate enough to have traveled all over the world together. He took great pride in his children, his grandchildren, and his great-grandson, and always instilled the importance of education, love of life and service to others.
UVA was near and dear to his heart, forever indebted for the wonderful education it afforded him. Some of his happiest moments were attending football and basketball games. Win or lose, he was a diehard Wahoo and hosted the best tailgates. His favorite respite was the porch of his beloved home “Pinewold” where he lived for 57 years. He enjoyed collecting antiques, especially potty chairs, nautical paintings, and Chinese porcelain. He enjoyed sitting by a roaring fire, with a western on and a faithful pet at his feet.
He is survived by his children, Robert Hicks and his wife Nancy Hicks, Patricia Shull and her husband Wesley Shull, and Paula Mooradian and her husband Todd Mooradian; daughter-in-law, Paula Williams; grandchildren, Matthew and Michael Hicks, John Shull, Clare Shull Booher, Sam Shull, Jacob Hicks, Addison and Andie Mooradian; a great-grandson, Christopher Booher; nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015, at 11 a.m. at Ware Episcopal Church with a graveside service afterwards.
Memorial donations may be made to Ware Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 616, Gloucester, Va. 23061, the UVA Athletics Foundation, P.O. Box 400833, Charlottesville, Va. 22904, or UVA Law School, 580 Massie Road, Charlottesville, Va. 22903-1738.
Hogg Funeral Home, Gloucester, is handling arrangements.