Lavon was born Dec. 3, 1949 in Gainesville, Texas, the son of George Wesley and Marie (Buchanan) Hicks. He passed away Sunday, July 4, 2021 at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City, Okla. at the age of 71.
Lavon was a lifelong area resident and graduate from Marietta Public Schools with the Class of 1968. During high school, he had a natural love and talent for sports which led to his passion for coaching. During his high school athletic career, he went to state in football and several events in track. In 1967, Lavon was a member of the State Champion Track Team where he was the High Hurdles State Champion, the 180 Low Hurdles Runner-Up State Champion, he ran the first leg on the State Champion Mile Relay Team and was named to the All-State Track Team. In 1968, Lavon was a member of the State Runner-Up Track Team where he was the High Hurdles State Champion setting a new state meet record of 14.5 seconds, which stood for 20 years until it was broken in 1988 by an athlete he coached; 180 Low Hurdles State Champion setting new state meet record of 19.2 seconds and named to the All-State Track Team. In 1967, Lavon was a member of the football team that defeated Tuttle for the Class C State Championship. His senior year, he scored 29 touchdowns, was selected as the Area Outstanding Back, selected to the All-District, All-Region, All Area, and All-State Teams.
Lavon attended Oklahoma State University (OSU) on a full scholarship for football. He started as a freshman on a team that’s only loss was to Oklahoma University. He then transferred to Southeastern Oklahoma State University (SEOSU) and played for three years. Lavon was named Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference (OIC) All Conference in 1972 and 1973 and was OIC Top 8 All Time Rushing Leader with 2,760 yards. In 1971, he was named outstanding player in a game against Austin College in which he had 27 carries for 111 yards and four touchdowns. In 1972, Lavon was named outstanding player in a game against Northwestern Oklahoma State University in which he had 43 carries for 199 yards. In the 1973-1974 season he was named most valuable player of the year at SEOSU. At one time, he held the record for longest run scrimmage (87 yards), most touchdowns in a game (4), most yards in a game of (199), and most carries in game (43).
Lavon went on to have a successful teaching and coaching career. He taught Physical Science for 30 years and chemistry for two years. In 1974 thru 1977, he coached at Madill High School and then transferred to Marietta High School where he coached football for nine years with a record of 73-30, and boys track for nine years. He coached the 1987 State Champion Football Team and in 1988 held the record for the longest win streak in Oklahoma for a total of 27 games. In 1987 and 1988, he was the Regional Coach Of The Year where he produced several All-State and All-Region Players many of which attended SEOSU and excelled in football. In track, his team was the Regional Champs six times and State Runner-Up once. Lavon then moved to Anadarko in 1996 and coached the first ever and second State Championship Teams. He retired in May 2012.
Lavon was an avid outdoorsman. When he was not playing or coaching sports, he could be found on the Red River hunting and fishing or spending time with his family.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sister, Rowena Cain; and brothers, Charles Henry Hicks and Gaylen Lynn Hicks.
He is survived by his daughters, Tiffianni Kuehler and husband Shane of Weatherford, Texas, and Valerie White and husband David of Howe, Texas; sister, Regina DeMaio and husband Larry and their children Isabella and Christian DeMaio, and Nick DeMaio and family; brother-in-law, Richard Cain and his children, Wes Cain his wife Kristen and their son Hunter, and Forrest Cain.
Serving as casket bearers are Paul Riley, Ralph Tullis, Mike Mayes, Don Bennett, Richard Cain, Wes Cain, Trey Mayes, Larry DeMaio and Chelsea Pajie Taylor. Honorary bearers are Jack Hartman, Forrest Cain, Christian DeMaio, Duke Christian, Richard Rutherford, Morris Sloan, Val Reneau, Debbie and Robbie Young, Robin Mayes, and Johnny Jump.
Time for visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Services for Wesley Lavon Hicks (Coach Hicks) of Jimtown, Okla., are set for 2 p.m., Saturday, July 10, 2021, at the Marietta High School Auditorium with Pastor Gerald A. Peters officiating and Paul Riley and Don Bennett assisting. Interment will follow in Jimtown Cemetery under the direction of Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Marietta.
