James R. Hicks was born on August 4, 1937, to Lester and Marian (Denis) Hicks in Fargo, N.D., and passed away on August 27, 2023, in Libby, MT, from complications of a stroke. Jim grew up on a farm near Buffalo ND and attended school at District #81 and Buffalo High School graduating in 1955. He enlisted in the US Airforce and served as a Radio Intercept Operator in Japan and Scotland. Jim was very proud of his military service and his work translating Russian military communications from Morse Code during the height of the cold war. He was also proud of his more than 50-year membership in American Legion Post #10. When he returned home, Jim worked at several jobs including Truck Stop operations in Tower City, ND and later in Lolo, MT. In 1968 he enrolled at the University of Montana and graduated in 1973 with a BA degree in Economics. He also completed numerous Russian language courses. Jim was offered a position in the banking industry but chose to spend the rest of his working years