David Warren Hicks, Sr.

1947-2024

David Hicks, 77, departed on his final trip October 4, 2024.  Embarking on an eternal journey, he packed well.  He took with him the love and devotion of his wife, Karen, his sons Andrew (Maureen), and Warren (Heather), sister Carol Hicks Finnerty (Patrick), stepchildren Tamara Mercer, Michael Mercer and Tiffany Mercer, and nephews Sean and Ryan Finnerty.  Also sustaining him throughout his voyage are tender memories of adoring grandchildren Kelsey Hicks (Jay), Trae Hicks (Morgan), Carolyn Hicks, Parker Hicks, Kaylee Hicks, and Ashtyn Hicks; seventeen step-grandchildren, including fifteen of whom knew him as “pops;” and great-grandchildren Celestia Hicks, Aurora Hicks, Harper Hicks, and Archer Garrett.  A full crew of cousins and other family bid him a fond farewell.  Friends, way too many to mention, are still wishing him bon voyage and wiping away tears.

Greeting him upon arrival were his parents Marion and Frances Hicks, son Daniel Hicks, his stepson Mark Mercer, and many friends and family members.

David was a proud Marine and Virginia Air National Guard veteran.  In his professional life, he was a successful real estate agent and broker for many years. He owned a Century 21 All American Real Estate Office in Chesterfield County. His expertise and trusting affable persona were the perfect antidote for anxious buyers and sellers.  After Century 21, he and Karen, also a real estate agent, formed Swift Creek Realty allowing them to complement each other’s professional skills and continue serving their clients.

David’s family has been rooted in Virginia soil for more than three hundred years.  The earliest known Virginia ancestor was his 7th great-grandfather, (Captain) Robert Hicks (1670-1738) who lived in Charles City County in 1690.  Of the many Hicks family traits still alive today, perhaps the one David emulated best was his love to be “up the country.”  He spent as little time as possible on concrete and asphalt, and eschewed cityscapes of cold steel and glass. His preference was being “up the country” where the summer breezes were a little cooler, the air was sweeter, and the living slower.  Living in Powhatan County with Karen was where he wanted to be.  There, he could stroll on acres of grass, enjoy nature’s many offerings, pursue and curse any number of DIY projects, tease and please their dog Zoe in equal measure, putter around, and plan their next RV adventure.  Life, indeed, was good.

David’s lone exception to his aversion for concrete and asphalt was Key West Florida. While neither he nor Karen ever qualified as Saltwater or Freshwater Conchs, they were passionate Parrotheads.  Key West was their refuge.  For a quarter century they spent three weeks every year in the Conch Republic. Hair down, glasses up, and barefoot in the sand, they were in their element.  Their annual 21-day party with friends Steve and Chris O’Neill, Wayne Skinner and Bruce, LeAnn and Ashley Bumgardner were epic. 

Cross country RV trips with Karen to the Wyoming wilderness as well as state and national parks across the map fed David’s thirst for adventure and exploration. But “place” wasn’t his only country attribute.  He also treated people right.  He worked hard, was faithful, and modeled humility.  He was an active member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church and its Knights of Columbus Council.  Sure, there were the occasional cantankerous moments, but only enough to laugh about.  Whether you called him honey, brother, dad, grandpa, pops, uncle, cousin, or friend…you were fortunate to do so.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 2480 Batterson Road, Powhatan, Virginia 23139.  A reception will follow at the church.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Knights of Columbus Council 9507; St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 2480 Batterson Road, Powhatan, Virginia 23139.