Christopher Joseph Hicks

Christopher Joseph Hicks was born on October 6, 1977 (48 years old) in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Rodney and Debra (Cain) Hicks. He concluded his courageous one-year battle with cancer on January 17, 2026, at Clearwater, Florida. Chris was a beloved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, uncle, business owner, friend, and fiancé. He touched the lives of many with his warmth, charismatic, outgoing nature, and love of life. Chris was a constant friend and possessed an extraordinary ability to connect with almost anyone. He thought outside the box and had an empathetic heart. He attended Long County High School in Ludowici, Georgia and Lafayette High School in Lexington, Kentucky where he excelled in Booster Drives and band as a flutist. While living in Lexington, Kentucky he studied fitness training under Ron “Specks” Lacy who was the 1957 AAU Mr. America. Ultimately, Chris graduated from Long County High School Class of 1996 in Ludowici, GA.

Chris is predeceased by his much-admired maternal grandfather, Herbert Cain Jr. who was featured in the book The World Through Wanders’ Eyes which Chris authored in 2018. Chris is also survived by his parent's Rodney and Debra Cain Hicks, of Ludowici, GA, sisters Alicia Hicks of Ludowici, GA and Katrina Hecker (Jim) nephew (Jimmy) and niece (Alyssa) of Bland, Virgina. He is also survived by his honorary brother and best friend since fifth grade Aaron Johns. He survived by a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and his maternal grandmother Geraldine Cain of Jeff, Kentucky. The highlight of Chris’s life has been his fiancée Nikki Senkbeil and her sons Liam (Best Buddy) and Colin (a soft spot in Chris’s heart). They loved Chris very much! Their time together was too short!

As a young man, Chris was a Marine Reservist for a short time. “Semper Fi”! Chris loved performing as Santa Claus for Christmas parties especially with children. On one of the last days of his life, he told a Chaplain that he really wanted to play Santa one more time. He loved grilling at his Chris’s Curbside Grill and other restaurants through the years. He enjoyed conversing with customers and providing the human touch. He experimented and created his array of special sauces which sold through his Coastal Sauce Company. He enjoyed listening to music especially singing to “La Bamba” and writing poetry. He was an accomplished flute player in elementary and high school where he completed and won All State Awards in Georgia and Kentucky.

Chris’s family wishes to honor the unique person he was throughout his life, not defined by his final chapter.

The Family will receive friends on Saturday, January 24, 2026, starting at 6 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be held on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at 3 p.m. in the Chapel of Carter Funeral Home with Rev. Brad Pickren officiating

Graveside Services will be held on Saturday Jauary 31, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Elim Baptist Church Cemetery in Ludowici, Georgia.