Honey Grove, Texas -- Ira Lee Hicks passed peacefully from this earth at the age of 79, on March 23, 2023 after a very long struggle with failing health.  Ira was born February 1, 1944 at home in Little Elm, Texas to John McDaniel Hicks and Lillie Bernice Brown.  Ira was raised in Lewisville, Texas and attended school in Lewisville or as he often referred to it, Hooterville.

Ira was preceeded in death by his mother and father and brother, Johnny Hicks.  He is survived by sisters, Bettye Williams and Mae Robison and her husband Don and brother Jim Worley and his wife, Cindye. He is also survived by his wife Patti, daughter Sherry Lynn Patterson and husband Mike, daughters Melissa Hicks and Tammy Cooper, and sons Chris Wiser and his wife Mary and Steven Wiser and his fiancée Loraine.  He is survived by 13 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.  The greats as he called them were a joy and light to his life. He is also survived by lots of nieces, nephews and cousins. He was loved by many.

Ira spent 16 years at Braniff Airways.  When the company closed, he found employment in law enforcement.  First at the Dallas County Jail, then moved to The Colony Police Department where he spent 10 years. He thought his law enforcement career was finished when he retired after 11 years as Chief Deputy Constable for Pct. 2 of Denton County, but following retirement he was asked to fill the position of Constable for Pct 3 in Fannin County.

Ira was a devoted member of the Masonic Fraternity, having been raised a Master Mason in June of 1976. He served in several lodges in North Texas and took pride in being a Mason and in the principles that Masonry stands for.

He loved football, particularly the University of Texas and the Dallas Cowboys.  He loved high school football and especially enjoyed the privilege he had as a police officer of being able to watch the games from the sidelines.

He enjoyed fishing and watching his great grandkids when they would come for a visit.

Patti and Ira purchased their home in Honey Grove in 2001 and he took on the task of bringing the old Victorian back to life.  He was a member of McKenzie United Methodist Church in Honey Grove and was currently a member of Constantine Lodge in Bonham.

He touched the lives of many people throughout his 79 years. He will be greatly missed.