Ronald Howard Hicks

Ronald Howard Hicks passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 20, 2021. He was born to Thomas and Harriett Hicks on August 11, 1936 in Warren, IL. He graduated from Warren High School in 1954 and then joined the Army. When he left the service, he took classes at the University of Oklahoma where he met Virginia. They married and had a daughter named Kelley. Ron started a career first in vacuum sales with Hoover and then moved over to apparel with Jantzen. Eventually he went to work for Burlington where he successfully sold socks for the remainder of his career to customers such as Walmart and Sam's Club. In his spare time, he also improved the family farm up in Warren. He was so proud of what that grew into. He loved to spend time on the road and never knew a stranger nor forgot anyone he met. He had a gregarious personality and loved the chaos of a house full of family and friends. He always wanted to be helpful and needed by those that he loved. Ron met Pat Dixon in 1967 and it was the start of a 50+ year relationship that culminated in their marriage in 1998. Ron suffered a heart attack in 1993, but his doctors would tell you he was the model patient from then on, and he continued to live a full life even after his heart failure turned terminal. The doctors were always amazed at how well he was doing, even with only 10 per cent heart function. The family is very grateful to Integris Hospice for the gentle care they gave him the last 6 months. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and elder brother, Tommy, as well as many friends. He is survived by his wife, brother Eddie (Deloris), daughter Kelley (John), stepson Mike (Sally), stepdaughter Julie (Chris), grandsons, granddaughters, and multiple great grandsons and granddaughters. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Cancer Society or American Heart Association.