More detail on this person: DONALD WALTER HICKS Donald Walter Hicks, of Salem, Va., died on April 25, 2009, of cancer due to his contact with Agent Orange in Vietnam, 'and the Body Count Continues.' He was born on March 28, 1945, in Schenectady, N.Y., a son of the late Wesley Vernon Hicks and Lucille Key Hicks. Don is survived by wife of 29 years, Celeste; daughter, Amanda and husband, Hamish McLean and son, Michael; brother, Vernon Jr., and wife, Ann and their children, Donald, Polly and husband, Michael Stringer; and sister, Sally. Don spent most of his youth in Roanoke. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 1968 and remained a fervent Cavalier fan and supporter his entire life. He received his Masters in Accounting from Louisiana State University. He then served his country in the U.S. Air Force as a Caribou pilot in Vietnam where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He returned to school at Michigan State University and received his Doctorate in Accounting. He began his teaching career at VA Tech and moved on to VCU in Richmond, and then to Christopher Newport University in Newport News, from which he retired Professor Emeritus in 2007. Always the teacher, he used his abilities to teach at church, teaching Sunday School at churches he attended, including Tabernacle Baptist Church in Salem, Va. He devoted his life to teaching others to think for themselves, always challenging them to delve deeper into the subject, whether accounting or the Christian life. Don was always in a hurry and ready for a game anytime, whether it was softball, volleyball, canasta or Pollyanna. His enjoyment of animals stretched from dinosaurs to dogs. Like his father before him, he read voraciously and collected a small library. He loved the outdoors and vacations with his extended family. Don managed to find humor in everything, including his eight year battle with cancer. He lived every moment with his eyes toward God, reflecting Micah 6:8, 'To do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.' He did just that. Memorial contributions may be made to Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, DUMC, Durham, NC 27710 or a favorite charity. A Celebration of Life Service will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 2, 2009, at Tabernacle Baptist Church, East Main Street, Salem. I had the privilege of having you as my Intermediate Accounting professor back in the winter of 1982 at Virginia Tech. You were not only an outstanding professor, but you served as an incredible source of encouragement for a young student who was dealing with some rough times. I'm just sorry that I never had the opportunity to Thank You for being a source of strength for me in my academic endeavors. God Bless your family. - Steve Kirby Added: Feb. 17, 2016
Burial information: Greenwood Cemetery, Bedford, VA
This information was last updated 12/19/2017
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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