Jonathan Edward Hicks was born September 14, 1963. He was the last child and only son born to Edward J. Hicks and Dorothy Lee (Johnson) Hicks. His fond memories of childhood were embodied by his love of family. He shared a close relationship with his sister Deborah, who prayed for a sibling because she was lonely as an only child. He was very close to his mother’s closest friend, Sadie Heflin, also known to him as “Aunt Sadie”. Dorothy and Edward did not have additional children. However, Sadie’s son Micah Ross grew up with Deborah and Jonathan as their “Beloved” brother.

Jonathan attended Lafayette Grade School, East Topeka Junior High, Topeka High, Kansas University, and Washburn University. He played the clarinet and enjoyed competing in football games and track events as a teen. He became known for participating in school talent shows. One year Jonathan dedicated the song “Sadie” to his Aunt Sadie. As a Topeka High student, he also participated in the marching band with his friend Danny Woods.

Jonathan was baptized at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church around 1973. His parents kept him active in the church’s youth department. He participated in KVD and State conventions as a chorister. As teenagers, he, Steven Wakes, John Holloman, and Harold Wilkerson formed the group “God’s Children”, singing for church events in the community. While attending Kansas University, he joined the KU Gospel Choir and formed numerous friendships. As a student of Washburn University, he recorded the song “Everything Must Change” with the Washburn Jazz Choir. Throughout his life, he often sang for several engagements such as musicals, funerals, weddings, including church district and state events. He was accompanied by Minister Anthony Jones and Lamonte Lassiter, while singing in the group “Psalms” with Beryl New, Lynette “Nay” Everett, Angie Skull, Harold Wilkerson, and Marilyn Mitchell. Psalms opened up for celebrity gospel artists such as, The Winans and Bobby Jones. Jonathan sang off and on with “Keith Tribitt and the Elements of Faith”. He recorded lead vocals with the ensemble for the songs “I’m Not Tired Yet” and “Enter into His Presence”.

Jonathan often shared how he practiced directing curtains at home before Deborah allowed him to direct the church choir. Jonathan directed the Antioch Mass Choir for over 15 years. He enhanced his craft by attending annual conferences like the Edwin Hawkins Music & Arts Seminar. He later began facilitating workshops and musicals around Kansas. In his last years he directed the Topeka Gospel Community Choir.

Jonathan worked with Topeka Civic Theatre and Washburn University in the productions of “Smokey Joe’s Café”, “Ain’t Misbehavin”, and “Once on This Island”. He also had a role in the stage play “A Misfit’s Revenge” by Tyson Williams. His other enjoyable hobbies were dancing and playing bid whiz.

Professionally, Jonathan was employed by the Shawnee County Dept. of Corrections, Capital City High School, Youth Center at Topeka, Valeo Behavioral Health Care, and Family Service & Guidance Center of Topeka. He had compassion for troubled youth and adults. He cultivated a skillset to offer them structured supports. His professional and personal relationships caused many to know and love and him as “Mr. Hicks”, “Uncle Jonathan”, “Jay”, and “Brother”. He especially loved to celebrate achievements of the youth he worked with.

Jonathan departed this life on Sunday, July 30th, 2017 to enter into the eternal presence of The LORD JESUS CHRIST. He was preceded in death by his father, Edward J. Hicks, his mother, Dorothy L. Hicks, and his sister, Deborah L. Hicks.
His memory and legacy will be cherished by his “Beloved” brother, Micah Ross (Allena); nephew, Edward Hicks; niece, Erin Hicks; niece, Jerlita Hicks-Howard (Keith), and a host of biological and Beloved brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

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