Delmar Gene Hicks

Delmar Gene Hicks, son of the late Cecil and Maude (Tindle) Hicks, was born on March 28, 1936 in Brush Creek, Missouri, and passed away at his home in Mountain Grove, Missouri, surrounded by his family. He was 80 years, 10 months, and 24 days of age.


Delmar was the youngest of nine children. He graduated from Dora High School in Dora, Missouri, in 1955. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Army and served 18 months in Germany; he was honorably discharged in 1961. While serving in the Army he met his loving wife, Gail (Thornhill) Hicks. They were married on March 29, 1958, and have been married 58 years. They had five children, eight grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.


Delmar began his logging career in his early teenage years. He was often required to stay home from school to help cut logs with his dad and six brothers. Before starting his own logging business, he had many careers and traveled to places as far as Calgary, Canada, and Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. He began Hicks Sawmill in 1995 and has logged for the last 30 years. Delmar had many pride and joys: his 69 white Cadillac, his herd of Black Angus cattle, his Rottweilers, and motorcycles (especially Harleys). He enjoyed coon hunting, his catfish pond and working in the garden. He loved singing in church, and dancing to Bluegrass music. His favorite pastime of all was spending time with his big family and many friends. Delmar gave a helping hand many times to those in need, he worked hard, played hard, and loved hard. When he invited Jesus into his heart he was extremely passionate about his love for the Lord and wanted to share his new found Faith with everyone!


Besides his parents, Delmar was preceded in death by his youngest daughter, Tracy Hicks, six brothers, and two sisters.


Delmar is survived by his loving wife of their home, Gail Hicks, one son, Randy Hicks and his wife, Wendy of Mountain Grove, three daughters, Diane Hicks of Mountain Grove, Deanie Odneal and her husband, C.J. of Vanzant, Missouri, and Robin Hicks of Mountain Grove, eight grandchildren, Jared Byerly and his wife, Tana, Ross Byerly, Candice Wheeler and her husband, Aaron, Kilei Taylor, Aaron Hicks, Weston and Clayton Odneal, and Johnny Calus, five great-grandchildren, Brock, Masen, Max, Paisley, and Grayson, and many other family and friends.


Delmar was best known for his charm and handsome smile. His high school senior quote reads, There are wise thoughts behind those devilish eyes. Those who know and love Delmar know how true this is. His ornery sense of humor will be greatly missed by us all.


Visitation: Friday, February 24, 2017 form 6:00 - 8:00 PM at First Free Will Baptist Church, Mtn. Grove.

Funeral Service: Saturday, February 25, 2017 at 11:00 AM at First Free Will Baptist Church, Mtn. Grove.

Burial: Hillcrest Cemetery, Mtn. Grove

Memorial Contributions: Alzheimer's Association or Gideon's c/o the funeral home.