Thomas Joe Cooper-Hicks
Help us celebrate Thomas! Please share your stories and photos, and invite others who remember Thomas.
Thomas Joe Cooper-Hicks (n?e Hicks), age 70, of Marble Falls, Texas, passed away gently at Ascension Seton NW, Austin, Texas, Friday afternoon, May 6, 2022. His loving wife of 17 years, Carla Cooper-Hicks (n?e Cooper) was ever close by his side along with a few close friends. He and she had just been home enjoying (mostly) a normal life the previous two weeks with his new oxygen tank and Home Health nurses assistance. Thomas and Carla thanked God daily that they could be reunited after almost nine weeks of hospitalization beginning Feb 19, 2022 until his recovery and discharge to their home on April 19, 2022. On May 3, the damage to his lungs by Covid together with his COPD resurfaced and he was rushed once again to a hospital with Respiratory Failure.
Thomas was born in Bristol, VA, February 5, 1952, to Dewey and Dolly Hicks (n?e Brown) of Bristol, TN. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Dee and Larry Hicks. He is survived by his wife Carla, Marble Falls, TX and sister, Judy Hicks Miller, Ocala, FL, and a niece, Amy Ratcliff, a nephew, Marty Jones, Jr., and three step-children, Monica, Branson & Nicholas of Tennessee as well as Carla's two sons, Jason Rammel of San Antonio and Sean Rammel of Marble Falls with their families having four children each.
Thomas had kidney and bladder difficulties from a very young age and Dee gave his teenage brother "Tommy" one of his kidneys 1971 at Duke University Hospital. That family organ donation carried Thomas 47 years through a very busy young life in Tennessee then on to a new busy life in Texas 2001.
Thomas was known as "Tommy" growing up in TN but he was only known as Thomas in his new home Marble Falls, Texas. He was an enthusiastic member of two churches and taught himself how to play the electric and acoustic bass guitar in order to fully praise God in the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) of Marble Falls and the Christ Redeemer Fellowship of Granite Shoals. Thomas and Carla were married in the FUMC by both church's pastors, 12 March 2005. They were surrounded by so many loving people from their workplaces, church and their Praise Bands. They both were active members of the Emmaus Walk Community where Thomas gathered close friends for fellowship in a "Reunion" group after his February 2003 Walk #1052. Thomas encouraged Carla to go on her personal Emmaus Walk Sept 2004, Walk #1183 and they extended their music efforts into that community's monthly gatherings. They moved to their home in Lake Victor after marriage. They spent four years on the early a.m. worship service, Burnet's FUMC until 2011 when they sold their home to move back to Marble Falls.
Thomas enjoyed being a member of the local band, Cross Over, made up of close friends from the Marble Falls FUMC. He was thrilled to be one of the five band members, playing numerous Central Texas locations focusing on serving the community and sponsoring fundraising events. The band's talent culminated in a CD, "Off The Chain'' music by Mike McKeown & produced 2009 by Cross Over Ministries.
Thomas was active in his community, cherishing his home with Carla and enjoying every minute of his life, especially the years spent working for the Hidden Falls Adventure Park and later managing the Copperhead Creek Shooting Club (CCSC). The Club has 15 years of Thomas written all over it. He helped clear the land, design and build the shooting ranges 2007-2008 and was so honored to be hired 2009 by the new CCSC owner, another dear friend from Marble Falls FUMC, Brooks Blake. Thomas brought to the project years of experience developed in his home state of Tennessee. He loved to help the members get the right training, the right weapon and be educated about safe practices. He encouraged all to fully participate and enjoy the sports and events offered at CCSC as he did. The CCSC and the Hidden Falls Adventure Park was like family to Thomas.
He was a quiet, giant of a man at 5 ft 7. His dedication to whatever he put his hands to, reflected his Savior Jesus Christ. If his health issues pulled him away for a while, he always set his sights on getting better and picking up where he left off! Through it all, through End Stage Renal Disease, through an aneurysm, dialysis, a 2nd kidney transplant and skin cancer, he took all the earthly 'Skirmishes' with grace and patience. He walked the walk of Gratitude, paved the path with Kindness and always shared Joy and Love for all those around him. He encourages us to live Colossians 3:12 "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" and Thomas would add, 'Have fun!' Thomas will remain fully present in our lives and words. He will be dearly missed.
Online condolences may be made at: www.clementswilcoxfuneralhome.com