Hadley Fergus Hicks

Beloved husband and father, Hadley Fergus Hicks, 83, longtime resident of Sterling KS, went home to be with his Savior on June 21, 2016. Hadley was born in Bisbee, Arizona, on April 1, 1933, to Hadley Hugh Hicks and Margaret Fergus Hicks. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Mike Hicks of Inman, KS. Hadley graduated from Bisbee High School in 1952, where he was a star athlete. He was on the All American High School Football and Track team 1951-1952 and the school retired his #20 football jersey when he graduated. He was the Governor of Arizona Boys State in 1951. He served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Arizona State University where he also played baseball. In 1958, he played on a rookie team for the Chicago Cubs in Pulaski, Virginia. He later earned a Master’s Degree from the University of Montana and served on the board of the Arizona Athletic Hall of Fame. He was an outstanding teacher and a coach for his entire career, which included positions in Carmel CA, Prescott AZ, Flagstaff AZ, Sioux Falls SD, and Sterling College. He retired in 2013 from the Sterling Public Schools. He authored two books: The B Shines Brighter: The Bisbee High School Legacy, about his childhood in Bisbee and So You Wanna be a Legend. So Did I., about teaching, coaching, and life. He was a member of Faith Bible Church in Lyons KS. He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Nancy Hicks of Sterling KS; sister, Quila Rider of Showlow AZ; and brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Linda Hicks of Bisbee AZ; daughter and son-in-law, Susie and Dennis McDonald of Camp Verde AZ; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Lori Hicks of Camp Verde AZ; daughter-in-law, Jean Hicks of Camp Verde AZ; daughter and son-in-law, Kristin and Scott Randolph of Sterling KS; and son and daughter-in-law, Anthony and Mieka Stecker of Spirit Lake IA. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Michael and Taylor Hicks of Camp Verde AZ; Jason McDonald and and wife Camille of Paris, France; Megan McDonald of Camp Verde AZ; Joanna Street and husband Kiefer of Pineville NC; Luke Hicks and wife Breanna of Camp Verde AZ; Elizabeth Hicks of Oklahoma City OK; Harrison, Addisyn, Jolie, and Quentin Randolph of Sterling KS; and Annika, Adrie, Dylan, Ethan, Bennett, and Evan Stecker of Spirit Lake IA; and great grandchildren, Nolan, Rylan, and Rae Lynn Hicks of Camp Verde AZ; and Calvin Street of Pineville NC. There will be a private graveside ceremony for the family with military honors at the Sterling Community Cemetery. A memorial service, open to friends and family, will be at Faith Bible Church in Lyons KS on July 2, 2016 at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor Phil Green officiating. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established that will be used to honor Hadley's desire to support various ministries. Memorials can be sent in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.

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