Kenneth Nelson Hicks was born on June 5, 1964, in McKenzie, Tennessee, and passed away on September 16, 2026, in Red Oak, Texas, at the age of 62.

Ken was raised in Gleason, Tennessee, until he joined the U.S. Navy.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Patricia Spann, and grandparents, Roy and Lillian Spann.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Linda Rathvon Hicks; son Kenneth Nelson Hicks II and daughter-in-law Rebecca Cram Hicks; grandson Kai Kenneth Hicks; son Kevin Rathvon Hicks; daughter Lillian F. Kuseski and son-in-law Aiden J. Kuseski, both of whom serve in the U.S. Air Force; and mother-in-law Donna Lease Rathvon. He was blessed with many special friends and family members throughout the years.

Ken spent his life focused on his love of his family and his love of learning. He learned many things from his grandfather, including gardening, technical repairs, and auto mechanics. Ken served in the U.S. Navy from 1981 to 1988. He obtained his associate degree in Mechanical Engineering and worked on fighter plane control panels. He was stationed in Iceland for three years.

Life events led him to Dallas, Texas, where he began his career working at Baylor University Medical Center. He advanced from the Engineering Department to the Anesthesia and Biomedical Departments. He became the Manager of Anesthesia, with a team of technicians maintaining all of the equipment and working alongside the Anesthesiologists. In 2009, he co-authored and published the book Consciousness, Anatomy of the Soul with Dr. Peter Walling. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Hospital Administration and finished his career at Baylor in 2013. He was then self-employed with his company, KRepairs. In 2020, he had a sudden decline in health and struggled thereafter.

He had many interests and hobbies, including computers, astronomy, motorcycles in his youth, motorboats and bass fishing, hunting, NASCAR, space and science fiction, 3-D printing, cooking, playing Chess- which he was an avid and enthusiastic player, sheltering stray cats, and sharing his love for learning.

His children have fond memories of sport-related activities, including baseball and volleyball, helping them with their homework and projects, go-carts, getting their first cars, and meeting his grandson.

He often said, “Nothing is too hard. You just haven’t learned it yet.”

After many years of battling chronic illness, his journey here on earth ended at home in Red Oak, which is what he wanted.

He will be cremated, and interred at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.

A private memorial will be held for family and close friends at a later date. In lieu of cards or flowers, please consider donating to an animal rescue group in his memory.