David “Dave” Hicks

David “Dave” Hicks, 78, of Ames and formerly of Hampton, Iowa passed away following a brief illness on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. 

A Celebration of Dave’s Life will be planned at a later date.

David Robert Hicks was born on October 19, 1946, in Iowa Falls, Iowa, to T. Richard and Dolores (Hackbarth) Hicks.  Dave attended CAL Community School and graduated with the class of 1965. After high school, he enlisted in the Iowa National Guard, where he served with pride until receiving an honorable discharge. During his service, Dave also pursued his education at Iowa State University, earning a bachelor’s degree.

On May 8, 1968, Dave married Lois Jean Stover. They were blessed with three children: Kimberly, Jennifer, and Jonathan. 

Dave farmed several years with his family and was also employed by the Iowa Department of Transportation in the Right of Way Department. He retired in 2010, after 22 years of service.  Dave was appointed by Governor Branstad to serve on the Board of Real Estate Appraiser Examiners.  

He was a lifelong member of the Morgan United Methodist Church in Dows.  He served several years on the CAL Community School Board. Dave loved his horses and trail riding in his younger days, especially the trails in northeast Iowa and the annual Pony Express rides and parades for Camp Sunnyside.  He enjoyed gardening and maintained several perennial flower beds.  While his health allowed, he volunteered at Food at First in Ames.  He was always a very generous and caring man and would gladly help anyone in need.

His greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchild.  He followed all their events, and was known by all the young children at the ball games to be the source of a trunk full of candy.  He made sure to have his candy drawer full for anyone who came to visit. Dave loved to be warm and enjoyed his time in Arizona. 

Dave will be deeply missed by his wife of 57 years, Lois Hicks of Ames; children, Kimberly (Corey) Jacobsen of Dows, Jennifer (Michael) Lohrbach of Ames, and Jonathan (Jordan) Hicks of Cumming; grandchildren, Benjamin (Frances) Jacobsen, Matthew Jacobsen, Caleb Jacobsen, Eden Lohrbach, Ava Lohrbach, Ella Lohrbach, Samuel Hicks, Caroline Hicks;  great grandchild, Scarlett Jacobsen; siblings Tom (Janis) Hicks,  Linda (Merrill) Ahrens, and Patricia (Charlie) Peterson; sister-in-law, Roberta Krukow; and many close family members and dear friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Dolores Hicks; brother-in-law, Ron Krukow; sister-in-law, Barbara Embree; niece, Devon Embree and nephew, Brenton Embree.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Food at First in Ames, Iowa.

Condolences and memories of Dave may be shared with his family in the tributes section of his memorial page.