David Elton Hicks
David Elton Hicks, age 70, died suddenly of a heart attack Saturday, May 4th, 2024, at his home in Richmond, VA.
Dave was a loving father to three children and grandfather to eleven. Through many moves all over the country, Dave remained a steadfast, loving presence in the lives of his children, family, and friends. His children describe him as endlessly supportive and fun-loving—a constant in their lives. Dave could always be counted on to provide words of encouragement and lift others up. He was a champion and friend to all who knew him and held back nothing to bolster those he loved.
Dave retired after 23 years in the Navy as a chief petty officer, earning him the nickname “Chief.” Never intimidated by hard work, he went on to work in site prep construction, as a contractor training the New Iraqi Army in combat medicine, as a golf course marshall, and finally a cook/server in a catering business.
Dave was a faithful Christian who practiced love, service, and acceptance in all he did. He was an active member of AA for over 10 years, demonstrating courage and selflessness in his recovery. He sponsored many with kindness and honesty. In carrying the message of spiritual freedom, his stories never lacked a comedic edge. His unwavering commitment to God, the AA program, his family, and his fellows has helped and inspired generations of people across the country.
Dave was vigorously athletic, and his daily swims and frequent hikes along challenging mountain trails sculpted a physique that carried him through his many adventures.
Dave was known for his (always entertaining and often embellished) stories and jokes that delighted many and horrified some. He was unafraid to be silly or laugh at himself. Dave was brilliantly clever and would have made a great lawyer; he loved to argue. He was brave, iconoclastic, forgiving, and unforgettable.
He is survived by his heartbroken wife, Susan Boyle of Richmond, VA; his three children, Glen Hicks of Morgantown, WV, Chris Hicks of Dahlonega, GA, and Whitney Hicks of Dahlonega, GA; his brother Dan Hicks of Muncie, IN; his sister and brother-in-law, Katie and Dyke Williams of Muncie, IN; his stepdaughter Olivia Kent and stepson Mitchell Buck; and eleven grandchildren. He is loved and will be greatly missed by them all.
Memorial services will be held from 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at the Creeks Edge at Stony Point clubhouse, 9201 Creeks Crossing Blvd, Richmond, VA 23235. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Dave’s honor to the Rails to Trails Conservancy.
Please leave your remembrances and favorite Dave stories below. (Keep scrolling — there is a place to comment below.)
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Dave was one of the most joyful and enthusiastic people I’ve ever met. He never hesitated to lend a hand and was a huge source of support to me over the years. I’ll miss him every day.
I have only known Dave for two years, he and Susan are my literal next door neighbors, but his presence will be missed. He was so kind, and thoughtful. I’m so glad that I was able to have dinner with him, Susan and Maureen a few weeks ago for his famous spicy Italian sausage pasta sauce. I learned about his love of ice cream and quest to find the best place that serves it and also his new discovery of Taylor Swift, (from watching football) 😂. He was a genuine person and very open. He is missed!
My husband Tom and I met Dave on a hiking trip last year. He brightened every conversation, even when we were lagging at the end of the day, but most memorable was his ever-present warmth and genuine caring demonstrated in small kindnesses and consideration for all. We looked forward to getting to know Dave better this fall on another trip, now we too are deeply saddened by his loss. Love and condolences to Susan and the family
He was always around when you needed him. He was a champion for others, stood up for the little guy and would not tolerate injustice (especially when it came to board games!). He had my back and was in my corner countless times without ever having to ask.
Nobody could spin a yarn like Dave could. Hearing him recount tales of hilariously uncomfortable situations my mom would inadvertently (supposedly…) subject him to, would leave you sore from laughter.
Dave was the best person to hear your good news. Always so excited and enthused for what was going on in your life.
It’s hard to accept that he’s gone. Dave was a huge part of my life and helped to model my own behavior and approach to others. He taught me resilience, how to be strong through compassion, and the importance of empathy. He also schooled me on the ping pong and pool table damn near every single time we played.
Dave was the rising tide that raised all ships.
I love you and I’m going to miss you.
Dave adored his wife Susan, was solicitous towards his mother in law, and was proud of his children . What more could you ask of a guy? He reached out to help those struggling with addiction, physical disabilities and life s difficulties. How we will miss him. I discovered how fun he was to travel with last year on our trip to Slovakia. Maybe one of you were lucky enough to receive a quirky postcard from him on his adventures. Dave, we miss you, so drop us one of those postcards from heaven! Love, the DeWitts
What a true a beautiful account of Dave, his life and the effect he had on our lives. I will miss hearing his jokes, sometimes told many times over but with the same enthusiasm every time, his smile and big heart.
I loved Dave. I first met him at an AA meeting where he shared a Story about Kings County California. I was amazed that we shared very similar story’s in the same year, (1977), in the same California County, (Kings County), both of us in the Navy. After getting to know him, we shared story’s about drinking in the same bar,(Tiki Shack). To most people this might look like a coincidence, for us in AA, it becomes a Spiritual Bond. Dave is a kind and beautiful man. I will not forget him. I will keep him with me as I travel the rest of my Journey. A Great Man!
I have sat down numerous times to write this. Too much liquid on my iPad.
Not a big enough box of Kleenex.
No one I know told a better story than Dave. He and i working together catering could tell the same story and mine would be factual and his hilarious.
No matter what I got us into in the catering business, he made it into a funny story. Like the very fancy wedding at a county club in which they never built the building, and they had to construct two tents holding 200 guests each and we had a monsoon for the whole wedding. There were six stations with seafood station, pasta station and Dave was in charge of a fancy hamburger grill. The tent company made us add a small tent outside the big one so we didn’t put smoke into the tent and Dave had to flip the fancy burgers with one hand and hold the tent down with the other hand so it wouldn’t blow away. He was smiling and cracking jokes the whole night. We had to take all the dishes back to the kitchen to put through the dishwasher and I was worried we would never get them clean sitting there all night, and Dave suggested we stick them outside the tent and the pouring rain would rinse them all.
The 5-6 hours you have for a wedding are preceded by the days of prep. Dave’s jokes and stories made the days fun to go to work. Sometimes we would see who could keep a rhyme going the longest. Who do you think?
He always said he loved when Hendrik worked because he always laughed at his bad jokes.
Flash back to years before when I went with Susan and Dave to Alaska. We went to a town where the Mayor was a cat and I woke up early and started walking around the town, and who do I come across, Dave holding the Mayor. Everyone wanted to be Dave’s friend, even the Mayor.
Baseball. Dave loved his Braves. I’m not sure it will ever be the same for me. He would praise them one night, then cuss them out the next. But, he would always take it back when they did “good”.
I will always feel it was a privilege to be a friend of Dave’s.
A wonderful man, someone who cared deeply about everyone around him. Personally, I was privileged to know Dave and I have been blessed with his empathy, care and wisdom. This is an irreplaceable loss. He opened his heart and his soul to a fellow man and embraced them with all their imperfections. I absolutely loved this guy, who always put a smile on my face, took time to listen, never judged, always found it in him to go an extra mile for others. During one of my darkest hours, he sent me a poem by William Ernest Henley called Invictus (Undefeated). This was the poem that Nelson Mandela had in his prison cell for decades. Dave pointed out to me that at the end of the day, there is always hope. That poem has become my daily reminder that there is such thing as goodness of the heart and a resolute affinity for love.
So, in Dave’s memory:
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
Until a couple of years ago, David was a name on our family tree..a cousin that lived down South or on the East Coast.
Susan and David came to Montana to float the Missouri River and add to their travel adventures. Several Montana cousins met them at Giant Springs Park and we instantly loved them both.
We were enthralled with the stories he told. His love for Susan and his family was evident.
Heartbroken that we won’t see him again on this earth, but happy in the knowledge that we will meet again in Heaven.
Love and condolences to his family.
Our heartfelt condolences to Susan, Glen, Chris, Whitney, Olivia, Mitchell, Danny, Katie, & all others who were closest to David.
We didn’t get to see David as much as we wanted over the years, but when we did it was a great time of catching up, swapping stories about our grandparents, uncles, aunts, .., and always getting to some deep issues that were important for him to share. David was so open to share his experiences.
He always showed genuine concern for others. The devotion that he had (& that Katie has) to Dan over the years is a great example of how he demonstrated his care for others.
Thirty years ago, during one of our rare trips to the east coast, Bonnie & I (& Joe, our 2 year old) visited Charleston, & I called David. He dropped everything & spent an entire day showing me Charleston, meeting the family, & catching up. One of my all-time favorite vacation days, made so by David’s company that day.
Our recent visits have been just as enjoyable, just not long enough.
During his most recent Montana visit, we already were talking about our next gathering where we could hopefully spend some more time together.
I am stunned and deeply saddened by the news of Dave’s death. He had a ready smile and kind words of encouragement for all who met him. I always admired Dave’s ability to laugh at himself and his strong sense of adventure. I didn’t see him so much after his move to Virginia, but was always thrilled to connect with him on his visits back to the Atlanta area. He was a beloved A.A. friend. My heart is sad
Dave was a can do person, always ready to help, make you laugh, see the bright side! He was my son in law, helper, support! I will miss him, greatly,
We got to know Dave at our holiday tables. He was an occasional guest who felt like a regular. He was a quick study who had cheeky charisma and a knack for learning about everyone present. Dave had a lot of soul and little filter and endless ability to make us all laugh. He will be dearly missed — Sarah & Ethan DeWitt
Dave was a dear friend, neighbor, and AA family member. He was truly one of the most loving and genuine people I ever met. He had a kind and generous spirit, and always had a kind and uplifting word for everyone he came in contact with. He helped so many people, including myself. It was an honor and a privilege to have known him, and he will be dearly missed by many. My deepest condolences to Susan and Dave’s other loved ones.
I got to meet Dave through his daughter Whitney I got to hear his story of recovery He was very personable and funny I wish there had been more time to get to know him better I am sending prayers through the universe for his family and friends
Dave could walk into a room and change the mood for the better. He was always there to lend a hand and tell a joke at the same time. Just thinking about him makes me smile. He left too soon and will be missed be so many people. He had a heart of gold.
I’ll never forgot when Dave and Susan came to visit my mom here in St Augustine. Dave came to the beach in his speedo and dominated the waves, body surfing like a pro. We nicknamed him Torpedo Dave with his bald head speed suit. I am so grateful that I got to know Dave over the years he and my mom worked together and remained friends long after, he has made a huge impact on my family and been a dear friend to my mother. We love you Dave.
Dave,
Thank you for being my friend! You always had me on your prayer list, you are one of the finest gentleman I’ve ever met! Love you and will always remember that you told me we are friends for life!! Condolences to all of Dave’s family and friends, I have a feeling that Dave is hiking an awesome mountain trail in heaven!!!