Terry Allen Hicks, age 81, died on Friday, November 10, 2017, at his home in Flat Rock, NC after a period of declining health. He was born October 16, 1936, in Arp, Smith County, Texas, to the late Ruby Violet Brown and William Preston Hicks.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Jane Hicks. 

He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Christine Pearson Hicks of the home; three daughters, Teresa Lynn Hicks Nilsen (Maks) of Floro, Norway, Laura Louise Hicks d’Esperonnat (Theirry) of Laudun, France, and  Clair Jane Hicks (Giordano Biondani) of Broomfield, Colorado; grandchildren, Merissa Lynn Steindal, Audrey Louise d’Esperonnat, Damien Julian d’Esperonnat, Marc Olivier d’Esperonnat ; great-grandchildren, Thea Louise Strømsøy, Thale Sofi Strømsøy, and Oline Steindal Korneliussen; and step-grandchild, Katerina Annemarie Biondani.

In addition, Terry leaves behind four stepchildren, David Vandermast (Melanie) of Chapel Hill, NC, Lisabeth Vandermast McCartney of Barneveld, NY,  Daniel Vandermast  of Rico, Colorado, and  Matthew Vandermast (Michelle) of Leesburg, VA;  and six step-grandchildren, Emily Vandermast, Cole Vandermast, Anika Vandermast, Sydney Vandermast, Jack McCartney, and Elise McCartney.

He is also survived by his sister, Joyce Payne (Sidney) of Weslaco, TX; and nieces, Vicki Payne Rainwater (Jack), Kathy Payne Phillips (Cody), and Becky Macha (Jim). He loved and was loved by all.

As a young man, Terry was a standout student and athlete. After playing football and managing the college bookstore at Mississippi College, he declined additional athletic scholarships from LSU and Ole Miss to pursue missionary studies. He attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Mississippi State. His missionary dreams drew him to Nigeria where he ran an independent Christian book store. For many years Terry worked for American Management Association out of NYC. He subsequently started his own business, BookLink, publishing and distributing books to independent book stores across the Southeast.  

Terry moved to Flat Rock in 1993.  Quiet, effective and devoted to the well-being of children, he served on the boards of Vocational Solutions, Children & Family Resource Center, and Dept. of Public Health, leading each organization through pivotal times. With the heart of a missionary and the honed skills of a career salesman, Terry was hard to deny. He enlisted his many friends in his projects. He loved Flat Rock and served as Mayor and Councilman during the Village of Flat Rock’s formative years. His latest mission was the development of the Park at Flat Rock, a place that gave him great pleasure. 

He was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hendersonville (UUFH). Terry loved golf, fishing, and playing cards. His friends remember hours spent solving the world’s problems over coffee or a glass of wine.

Terry made everyone feel special. “No” was not in his vocabulary; with Terry all things were possible. 

A Celebration of Life will be held December 9, 10:30 AM, at the UUFH, 2021 Kanuga Rd., Hendersonville.

Reverend Jim McKinley will preside. Reception in the Friendship Hall will follow. 

In lieu of flowers donations in Terry’s memory may be directed to the UUFH, the Flat Rock Park Foundation, or the Scholarship for Single Moms at the Children and Family Resource Center.  

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