Janet
I believe he died in 1981. Search here for a reference to his obituary. The information should show up on page 2 of 4 in the results. You can request a free copy of the obituary to verify if this is the individual you are looking for..
http://www.jocolibrary.org/default.aspx?id=2168
He is listed in the Social Security Death Index as F Hicks, SSAN 502-09-8699, born 28 Jul 1912, died Aug 1981 (Aug 4, 1981 from the obituary index at the above link)
I am not related
Dave Goldy
Overland Park, KS