Donald E. Hicks

Donald E. "Don" Hicks, 79, of Parsons, passed away at 4:21 a.m., Wednesday, February 10, 2021, at his home.

Don and his twin brother, Ron, were born on January 29, 1942, to William and Irene (McCormick) Hicks in Belleville, Illinois.  When the twins were eight weeks old, the family moved to Parsons, where they grew up and attended school.  Together they graduated from Parsons High School, Parsons Junior College and Pittsburg State College.

In 1969, Don earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and a Master of Science degree in Biology and Secondary Teaching.  He later earned an Administration Degree from Washburn University.  From 1965 to 1976, Don taught Biology, Physiology and Zoology at Holton High School in Holton, Kansas.  He then moved to Topeka and worked for the state of Kansas in Vocational Rehabilitation until his retirement in 2004.

He was a lifetime member of the Central Christian Church in Parsons.  He was currently a member of the Faith United Methodist Church in Parsons.

Don married Julianne Daley in Parsons in 1962.  The couple divorced in 1976.  He then married Marjie Gale and became the step-father of her children, Bailey and Josh Chaloupek.  The couple later divorced.  In 2002, Don and Cindy Smith were united in marriage.  She survives of the home.

Survivors include:

His wife – Cindy, and their adopted children, Devon, Justin and Amaya, of the home

His daughters – Terri Ann Jacobson (Scott) and her children, Gabriel (Cindy) and Caitrin, of Lawrence, Kansas

Laura Ann Cruse and her children, Brett (Bianca), Sara, and Zach, of Parsons, Kansas

His son – John William Hicks (Tiffany) and their daughter, Aubrey, of Lawrence, Kansas and Allison, Ashlyn and Alex Hicks, of Parsons, Kansas

The children of his daughter, Julianne (Annie) Hicks – Isaiah (Jessica) of Parsons, Kansas; Aliyah of Okinawa, Japan and Caleb of Lawrence, Kansas

Seven great-grandchildren

Step-children - Amy Bartholomew and her children, Cassidy and Ryan, of Auburn, Kansas; Renee Smith and her children, Kendra and Earnest Jay (E.J.), of Topeka, Kansas; and Jamie Smith of Topeka, Kansas

Don's twin brother – Ron and his wife, Theresa, of Olathe, Kansas

Ron's granddaughter – Laressa of Kansas City, Kansas

Don was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Julianne (Annie) Hicks on March 27, 2016; and his older brother, David Hicks.

The memorial service will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 13, 2021, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home of Parsons.  The family will receive friends following the service. The funeral service can be viewed live on the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home Facebook page.  For all events, social distancing guidelines will be followed, including the requirement of face masks.

Memorials are suggested to the U.S.D. 503 Foundation for sports programs or LCC Foundation for scholarships.  These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS  67357.