Stanley Winford Hicks, son of Robert Richard and Velma Anna (Crabtree) Hicks, was born at Plato, Mo., on Oct. 14, 1918, and passed away on July 22, 2012.
Dr. R.B. Tilly was Stanley’s attending physician and kept a close watch as to insure his survival as Stanley was a very small baby, weighing 2 pounds and 6 ounces.
Stanley was an only child growing up in the Plato and Roby area. He spent three years in Tulsa, Okla., as a very small child. He gave his life to Christ at a young age and was a member of the Plato Baptist Church until 1954. When the Clara Baptist Church was organized, he became a charter member and a deacon of the church. Stanley was a strong Christian and had a great love for his church and church family.
He attended one year of high school at Plato and his last three years at Houston, graduating in the Class of 1937. During his sophomore year of high school, he met the girl of his dreams, Hazel Miller, and they were married on March 2, 1940. There was no greater love than the love that Stanley had for Hazel.
After marriage, Stanley and Hazel lived on a farm on the upper Rubidoux Creek and in 1943, his father purchased their farm known as the “Johnston Place” near Clara along the Big Piney River. He had admired this farm while he was dating Hazel and when it became available for sale, they purchased this property. Since March 27, 1943, they lived on this farm and raised their four children. The river has always been a big part of their lives spending many hours fishing, camping, swimming canoeing and picnicking with the family and grandchildren. Stanley was never too busy to go fishing or take a boat to the river with his “kids.” The grandchildren spent many days with grandpa. When the youngest grandchild, Ronda, came along, she took the place of the grandsons who were young men and didn’t have much time to spend on the river. Ronda became Stanley’s constant companion until the end. Stanley shared his farm on the Big Piney with his neighbors and lots of friends. He always said if they shut the gates, they are welcome to fish, picnic and swim at his farm.
Stanley was very involved in the community and served as a board member of the Production Credit Association, the Piney River Commission, board member for the Extension Council and Project Leader for the Hightown 4H Club. He was also the Assessor for the Piney Township for 18 years and an active member of the Democrat Party. Stanley was never too busy to let the farm wait and do volunteer work at the Clara Baptist Church, the feeder pig and calf sales, the Murfin Building and the Livestock pens at the Fairgrounds. If anyone needed help, Stanley would stop what he was doing on the farm and go help. Having helped construct the base for the flag at the fairground, he was extremely proud of his American heritage.
Stanley was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Eddie Moore; and grandson, Donald Stevenson.
He is survived by his wife, Hazel; four children, Richard Lee Hicks and wife, Pat, Rowena Moore and Rose Ward of the Houston area and Rita Peek and husband, Richard, of Peculiar, Mo. Stanley is survived by nine grandchildren, Leigh Ann Hicks Myers and James of Lebanon, Mo., David Stevenson and Amy of Peculiar, Mo., Michael Moore, Terry Moore and Sharon, Joey Moore and Julie, Ronda Cook and Jonathan of Houston, Mo., Raquel Morrow and Doug, Rashel Bussard and Dan of Nixa, Mo., and Dana Hicks Hart and David of Knoxville, Tenn. He is survived by 17 precious great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.
Services were 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, 2012, at Evans Funeral Home with Pastor Paul Murray and Dr. Howell Burkhead officiating. Pallbearers were Lynn Moore, John Broos, Tex Bonner, Charlie Kiser, Bill Harrington, Billy Moore and Bobby Pruitt. Honorary Pallbearers were Joey Moore, David Stevenson, Terry Moore, Michael Moore, Jonathan Cook, C J Moore, Austin Stevenson, Chris Moore, Terry Wolfe, Zach Moore, Jimmy Myers, Colten Moore and Andrew Myers. Burial was in Wolford Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
The family respectfully requests that donations be made to Texas County Hospice of Care, Wolford Cemetery or Gideon’s, in his honor, in lieu of floral arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.evansfh.com.
