Virginia Beach - Robert “Bob” Garland Hicks Sr., aged 91, passed away with his family by his side on January 4, 2026, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Born on November 18, 1934, in Griffin, Georgia, Bob or Garland as he was known in Griffin, lived a life marked by dedication to his family and service to his country and community.

Bob (Garland) was proud of his family, friends and his roots in the cotton mill town of Griffin GA and the surrounding area. He served honorably in the United States Navy from 1950-1958, enlisting in the Navy Reserves at 17 while in high school, during the Korean War. In the Navy, he “crossed the line”, becoming a Shellback. He was an Eagle Scout, a member of the Order of the Arrow and he attended the National Jamboree at Valley Forge PA in 1950, where he shook the hands of President Truman and General Eisenhower. He lettered in football and baseball all four years at Griffin High School and was captain of the football team, voted most valuable player and All-State football his senior year. He participated in Golden Gloves boxing as heavyweight in the state championship. He received a full athletic scholarship to the University of Florida, where he played for two years. In 1956 he was recalled to active duty, where he served aboard the USS Valley Forge CV-45 and played with the Norfolk Navy Tars service football team under Jack Cloud, making the USN All Star team. A severe knee injury ended his football career and led to a medical discharge. During this time he met and fell in love with his future wife, Anita Stefanacci. They married in November 1958.

He returned to school completing his bachelor’s degree at George Southern University. Later he received a Master’s degree from Old Dominion University, and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Education from George Washington University.

In 1960 he joined the staff at Maury High School as a teacher and assistant football coach. In 1961 he joined the staff at Oscar Smith High School in South Norfolk as a teacher, baseball coach and assistant football coach. From 1965-1968 he was head football coach at Oscar Smith, coaching the first integrated teams at the school despite community resistance and was South Norfolk Sports Club Coach of the Year in 1968. In 1969 he was hired as head coach by Bayside High School in Virginia Beach where he once again integrated his team and classroom, staying through June 1974. He was named Coach of the Year in 1970 by the Virginia Beach Sports Club after winning the city championship and bringing Bayside its first winning season. In the 1960-70s he enjoyed working weeklong summer football camps for young players, coaching and teaching fundamentals alongside NFL players and top college coaches. He coached the annual Joy Fund Charity Bowl football teams for many years. He left teaching to work in counseling at Princess Anne High School then Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at First Colonial High School before working in administration at the Central Office. He returned to the classroom at Kempsville Junior High School in the early 1980s to teach and coach the football team, winning the City Championship and Head Coach of the Year 1985-86. He returned to VBCPS Central Office Administration, Pupil Personnel and Student Services, before retiring in 1996.

He resided in Virginia Beach since 1962, when it was still Princess Anne County. He was active in local politics and participated in the formation of the City Of Virginia Beach in 1963. He was president of the Arrowhead and Carolanne Farm Civic league in the 1970s and coached Arrowhead youth sports in his spare time. He served on the Parks and Recreation Commission from 1977-1998, serving two terms as chairman, during which time they developed and built six Recreation Centers across the City of Virginia Beach.

He enjoyed golfing, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren, family and friends in Kitty Hawk NC and his Kempsville neighborhood.

He was a 32nd Degree Mason Scottish Rite and Khedive Temple Shriner, and a Lifetime member, Disabled American Veterans. He was inducted into the following: Athletic Hall of Fame, Oscar F. Smith High School, 1998; Griffin-Spalding Athletic Hall of Fame, 1999; and Chesapeake Sports Club Legends of Honor, 2019, for his coaching at Oscar Smith.

Bob is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Anita Stefanacci Hicks, his daughter Maria Hicks Melvin and husband Jim, his son Robert G. Hicks Jr. and wife Cindy; grandchildren Ian Hunter Hicks, Robert Jett Hicks, Garrett Thomas Hicks and wife Theresa, Brandon Patrick Hicks, Faith Renee Hicks, Andrew Melvin; great-grandchildren Violet Hicks and Thomas Hicks; his loving brother Jesse Ray Hicks; brothers-in-law Dennis Stefanacci and Frank Weber; sister-in-law Betty Jean Tomei and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse D. and Louise Tarleton Hicks and brother James Sears.

The family thanks the Virginia Beach Fire Department and VB Rescue, the VA Home Health team, Westminster-Canterbury Hospice and Right at Home care team for all their help in the past year.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Simply Cremation, reflecting Bob's wishes. Internment will be at Alfred G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery at a later date. Those wishing to honor his memory are invited to share condolences and memories at SimplyCremationOnline.com.