Pat Jobe
Thursday, September 6, 2018 8:20 am

Heart On Wheels: Amazin' Stories From The Life Of Tommy Hicks 1954-2017 is now available online from Dog Ear Publishing, Amazon and other online sellers. The 96-page memoir includes reflections of more than two dozen friends and family members of the late publisher, teacher, coach and sports writer who died last September.

Written by Pat Jobe and designed by Jan B. Sailors, the book is both hilarious and poignant reflecting Hick's 50-plus-year-long battle with muscular dystrophy, and his ability to do everything from sell insurance and advertising to teach school and run several businesses despite his disability.

Jobe, who is a retired minister and award-winning journalist, said of the book, "This is a collection of stories about Forest City and Rutherford County that I hope will inspire people from Timbuktu to Kalamasoo. He had that unique ability to take some bad cards and play them very well. Tommy Hicks was truly an amazing human being."

The book will be in local stores September 19 including Next Door Books on Thomas Street in Forest City where a book signing and reading is planned for September 28. Also Tommy Hicks Day will be celebrated at the East Rutherford High School cafeteria from 2-4 on October 13. Friends and family will gather to tell stories, see each other, enjoy refreshments, and celebrate Hicks. Books will be on sale.

East Rutherford graduate Jane Jolley-Brewer said of Hicks and his ability to overcome his disability, "He was thrown a curve ball and he hit a grand slam."

Duke University head basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski said, "Tommy Hicks gave much of his life to supporting Duke basketball. He was an unapologetic fan, the kind of fan that creates so much of our success. I'm sorry he is no longer with us, but this book will keep his memory alive and be a great source of joy to so many of his friends and family. When I think of the number of times he rolled his wheelchair into an arena hosting the ACC tournament, it inspires me to keep coaching winning teams at Duke."

His longtime dear friend Frieda Sellers said of Hicks, "He had an infinite capacity for love."

The book is published by Community First Media.