LTC Thomas J. Hicks USA Ret., 80, of Waverly, Iowa, passed away Saturday evening, May 8, 2021, at the Waverly Health Center. 

Tom was born on September 3, 1940, in Ames, Iowa, the son of Ruth (Schmitt) and Basil Dee Hicks. He attended elementary school in the Des Moines Metro area prior to becoming a resident at the Lutheran Children’s Home in Waverly. Tom attended Waverly High School and graduated in 1959, and then attended Wartburg College. On November 15, 1964, Tom was united in marriage to June Dreier. To this union their daughter, Lilah was born.  

Tom worked primarily as an electrician and was employed by Niewohner Hardware, Leuthold Johanssen Clothing, Ritchie Pontiac Olds, Shield-Bantam, Lauren Wedeking Electric, Chamberlain MFG., Black Hawk Electric, Dean’s Light Box and Wescott Clothing.  On February 26, 1962, Tom joined the United States Army Reserve and retired as Lieutenant Colonel on September 3, 2000, after proudly serving 38 years, 6 months and 6 days. 

Tom was a member of the Waverly Police Reserve, the Waverly Board of Electrical Examiners where he served as chairman, Waverly Amvets Post #79, and the Denver American Legion Post #653. He loved his model trains and also enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and trapping. However, his greatest joy was time spent with his grandson, Tyler. 

Tom is survived by his wife of 57 years, June; daughter, Lilah (Karl) Grimm of Waverly; grandson, Tyler; siblings, Basil (Mary)Hicks, Jr of KS, Linda Sloan of CO, Ron Hicks of CO, Carol (JR) Schlarb of CA; sister-in-law, Diana Frye of AL; and brother-in-law, George (Jean) Dreier Jr; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Larry With; step-mother, Helen Hicks; brothers-in-law, George Frye and Gene Sloan; sister-in-law, Linda Hicks and step-sister, Sherrie Pilley.   

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