Glenn Hicks

Glenn Conway Hicks, 93, of Abilene, passed away on December 3, 2015 at Mesa Springs Healthcare Facility following a short illness. In accordance with Glenn’s wishes, there will be no funeral or service. His remains will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife, Pauleta, at Riverside National Cemetery in California. Glenn was born to Clarence E. Hicks and Lorene Hicks on January 22, 1922, in Cooper, Texas. He graduated from Abilene Christian High School and attended McMurry College where he studied engineering for two years prior to joining the US Army Air Corps. Glenn met Pauleta Rutherford at a dance in Abilene and they were married on September 19, 1942. During the Second World War, Glenn served as a gunnery engineer and flew multiple bombing missions over Germany from England where he was stationed at the height of the conflict. He also served his country in the Korean War in the Office of Special Investigations before retiring from the military on April 3, 1964 as a Master Sergeant. Glenn was awarded the NDSM, GCM, Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars, the Army Occupation Medal (Japan), and the Air Force Commendation Medal for meritorious service for his work as a Special Investigator of the 1005th Special Investigations Group. After retiring from the military, Glenn worked for Disneyland in Anaheim, California in a variety of roles culminating as a Productions Director. In his 28 years with Disney, Glenn established himself as a resourceful manager and outstanding team leader who was stern but fair and always took the time to listen to and help his team members advance their careers. Glenn moved back to Abilene in 2004 following the loss of Pauleta to be closer to his family and his Texas roots. He was never one to sit still for long and promptly started Hicks Boer Goat Farm in Hawley, Texas, which he ran with Garrett Poole until December 31, 2014. He was an avid sports fan and a dedicated softball coach. He coached a men’s slow pitch softball team at Disneyland and his daughter’s Bobby Sox softball team for several years. He was a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan and had great respect for the late coach Tom Landry. Glenn was an enthusiastic golfer and the proud owner of two hole-in-one trophies. For a number of years, Glenn was an active member of the Soroptimist Club, which helps underserved youth. Despite his gruff exterior, Glenn was a softy and an extreme extrovert who made friends wherever he went. His optimism, curiosity, resilience and strong work ethic kept him engaged throughout a long and adventurous life. He will be remembered for many things but especially for his kindness, loyalty, endless quest for an angle and a deal, and a wicked sense of humor. Glenn was preceded in death by his parents, wife Pauleta, sisters Eugenia Isaacs and Daisy Waggoner, and brother Dub Hicks. He is survived by his son Glenn C. Hicks Junior, daughter-in-law Lynn Hicks, daughter Debbie Lynn Hicks, sister Sandra Chrane, brother-in-law Gary Chrane, sister-in-law Cindy Hicks and especially dear friends Senga and DeWayne Blair. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Hendricks Hospice and the Mesa Springs Healthcare Facility. Memorials may be made in Glenn’s honor to Rescue The Animals, 4620 North 1st St., Abilene, Texas 79603.