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Donald Joel Hicks, 80, of Lebanon, died Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, near Lebanon.
He was born on May 22, 1935 in Niangua to Norman and Lottie (Perryman) Hicks.
Don graduated from Niangua High School and married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Ann Clift, on May 3, 1958. They have three sons, 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Don and Joyce were married for 63 years before she passed away in March 2022.
Don started a company in Chanute, Kansas making mop heads. He has two patents to his name associated with this company. He then worked at Union Special in St. Louis, a company that serviced and sold industrial sewing machines, where he then had a third patent associated with his name. He was later employed and retired from the H.D. Lee Company (V.F. Corporation) in Lebanon in several positions including warehouse, equipment maintenance and engineering, where he was also involved in the development of several patents. He designed and modified sewing equipment to improve the process of making jeans and evaluated ergonomic functions of the sewing process for the workers. His work took him to several plants through the V.F. Corporation including Mexico and Costa Rica. He was also blessed to have worked at V.F. with Joyce and his brother Jerry. He and Joyce enjoyed traveling to visit friends in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. They also loved singing gospel music, traveling to churches in the area and other states, plus hosting singing events at his barn. Don was involved with the Gideons for 30 years and a member of the Lebanon Church of God.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Joyce, and his parents.
Survivors include three sons, Gary Hicks and Cheryl Brown, Gastonia, N.C.; Mark and Kelly Hicks, Lebanon and Alan and Gloria Hicks, Lebanon; one brother, Jerry and Linda Hicks of Niangua and 12 grandchildren: Jennifer, Sarah, Abby, Levi, Jackson, Atlas, Kaiden, Annabell, Nicky, Kasey, Michelle and her husband Jon Helton, Connor and his wife Emily, Tiffanie Blue, Christian Beard and her husband Kris and several great-grandchildren. Don and Joyce were also blessed with many other relatives and friends.
Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, 2023 in Little Vine Cemetery, Niangua.
Arrangements are under the direction of Fraker Funeral Home, Inc., Marshfield. Sign guest book at www.frakerfuneral home.com
