Ronald Carl Hicks was born September 20, 1951 to Robert and Irene Hicks. He was a lifelong resident of Des Moines, Iowa. Ron married Carol Dabb- to that union was born a son, Shawn Paul Hicks and a daughter, Amity Dawn Hicks. In 1979, Mary and her three children became his extended family. As a young man, Ron joined the USMC on March 17, 1969 and served his country until March 16, 1973 with a tour of duty in Vietnam from 1969-1971. After his honorable discharge, Ron joined the U.S. Army and served from May 25, 1974-March 13, 1978. He also served in the USMC Reserves.
Ron drove a city bus, then a school bus for the Des Moines School District. Ron changed careers and joined the USPS and was employed there until his health declined due to Agent Orange. In 2000, Ron had a double lung transplant and four years later a kidney transplant.
Ron became a Master Mason in 1983. In 1989, he served as Worshipful Master of Pioneer Lodge #22 Des Moines, and again in 2004. He affiliated with Home Lodge #370 Pleasant Hill and was Worshipful Master in 2011. Ron received the TS Parvin Award. Ron wore many hats in his Masonic life. He belonged to Scottish Rite, York Rite, Knights Templar, North Central High 12, Za Ga Zig Shrine, he was Samsar Emeritus, Shrine Past Masters Club, Order of the Eastern Star, Past Patron 5 times, Grand Warder in 2018, DeMolay and Rainbow for Girls, Marine Corps League, National Sojourners, and VFW.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Irene Hicks; sister, Cindy Hicks; brother, Mike Hicks; and grandson, Lucian Michael Hicks.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Mary; son, Shawn Hicks (Caroline); daughter, Amity Hicks; stepchildren: Michelle Alfes, Matthew McMillan (Dawna), and Matthias McMillan (Teri); 22 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Roberta Young and Betsy Hicks; brothers, Bobby Hicks and Cyrus Hicks; and many, many nieces, nephews and cousins.
His Masonic family has set up a Ron and Mary Hicks Scholarship Endowment Fund for use for community service.
Visitation will be 4-6:30 p.m., Sunday, October 10 at Merle Hay Funeral Home with an Eastern Star, Rainbow, and Masonic Service following. His funeral will be at 11 a.m., Monday, at the funeral home with interment at Chapel Hill Gardens and honors provided by the U.S. Marine Corps.
