Sammy Hicks

Sammy "Sam" Shannon Hicks Sammy S. Hicks, 49 of Coeur d'Alene, ID passed away peacefully July 9, 2013 at his home in Coeur d'Alene. He was born October 15, 1963 in Dickinson County, Virginia to Samuel Landers Hicks and Billie Jo Newberry. Sam later moved to Idaho, and was raised in the Silver Valley by Brian and Billie Jo Jackson. Sam enjoyed reading, cooking, art, and loved the outdoors. Sam is survived by daughter, Ariel Hicks of Spokane, WA, step-daughters; Tiffany Deem of Rathdrum and Kaila-Mai Hansen of Coeur d'Alene and son, Killian K.C. Hicks of Spokane, WA, two grand-children and four-step grandchildren, mother Billie Jo Jackson, sisters; Glenda Hook, Patricia Poirier, and Michelle Galbreath and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Maiting A. Hicks, and father Brian C. Jackson. Sam was a loyal and loving person. His sense of humor and presence will be missed by all. Services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Thursday, July 18, 2013, at Riverview Cemetery, 1065 N. Lincoln Way, Coeur d'Alene. Bell Tower Funeral Home and Crematory assisted with the arrangements. Eulogy for my brother Sam Hicks I would like to thank everyone here today for paying tribute to my brother Sam. This is a sad day for everyone here, especially my mother. To lose a son and a husband within 24 months is incomprehensible and so very painful. I hope my words about my brother, Sam, will help alleviate some of your grief. I would like to share some fond memories and personal attributes that made my brother unique, fun, and likeable. My brother was a few years older than me, and at times, I am sure he felt much older than he was because of his responsibilities of being the eldest of four-children. My mom gave birth to him at the early age of 17. They basically grew up together in many ways, and his nickname was "Cub," because she was so protective of her son. This was long before they used the term today, "Momma Bear." Being the only son, he earned a special place in my parent's hearts. In life, timing is everything; a missed chance or opportunity, wrong decision, or a choice that seemed to always affect Sam. Early on in life, it was pretty difficult for him to find his way. He had a lot of pain and sorrow, and he was a young man drifting at sea, and lost his guide. He had a lot of unrequited loves. Until he met Mai that is! Mai was crazy in love with Sam and was vocal about it to everybody. She thought he was "hot" and would often be outspoken of how hot he was. I would laugh and giggle when she'd talk openly about her love for him. I was so happy that he had that kind of love. It's hard to find and hard to keep. But again, he lost Mai much too early for any husband to have to think of. At that point, he was adrift again, and the loss and void in his life was much to bare. Sam moved in with my parents to help them out, and to fill his days with a purpose. My Mom was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2007 and at one point, we thought we were going to lose her. Her lowest weight was 87 lbs. This took a toll on my mother and father, and Sam was there to help take care of and give aid to them both. Some of the things he did took great patience. In my eyes he was a hero! The fourth commandment states, "Honor your Father and your Mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you." Exodus 20:12). A hero because he gave his time, loved, and cared for his mother and father who was clearly more sick than anybody knew. I respect him tremendously for that. He was a hero in another way too. In the spring of 2012, my mother had an accident and caught fire. He was able to extinguish the fire on her body, put the fire out in her bedroom, and get her to an emergency room quicker than an ambulance could respond. He saved her life, and saved their house from burning down. Once at the hospital, they both were flown to Seattle on Medstar because of her burns. Of course Mom's "Cub" was right next to her. Being a cop, I have seen other officers get letters of recognition, or commendation for less. He deserved a medal for that one. During her recovery, he was there helping her every day cleaning her wounds, and changing bandages. He truly had the patience that would test even the best nurses. Sam was also a strong person. He would graciously admit that he got into meth for a short time. He will also tell you that he decided one day, that he was going to quit it and dropped it like a hot plate. Donenever went back. I think it takes a strong person to just quit meth. I wish he could have done that with his cigarettes, but he just couldn't break the habit. Sadly, cigarettes, coupled with bad heart genetics inherited by his biological father, played a role in his death. Life is about the road you end up on, or getting your ship back on course. And Sam's course was right on track. In the last few months, he had been spending time with his daughter Ariel, and his son K.C. He had been exploring life more, getting out and doing the things men like to do. Camp, and hit the beach. He was like any other man and had a fondness for summer. He enjoyed bronzed skin, and halter tops! I remember him saying things like, "She's a fox, "or "She's beautiful." He was pure testosterone at times. He loved motorcycles, muscle cars, and TV shows that we shared talking about. Shows like the, "Walking Dead," most recently the "Dome", and he was on top of the latest news stories, and court TV. Carrying on a conversation with him was fun and I will miss when we shared our shows. Sam was also pretty good with a wrench and wasn't shy about trying to dig into some project to try and save a few bucks. He loved his Ford truck. I told you about him liking motorcycles. He wasn't shy to tell you how cool yours' was and often asked if he could give it a try. One day last summer, he took a day trip with my sister Trish with her on the back of one. I thought it was kind of cute that they took off, drove to the valley, and came back after dark. I think if he had ever gotten a Harley he would have been one of those die-hards and would have ridden it into the winter months. As siblings do, we bumped heads a couple of times. But we always got over it. Our strongest connection was the love we shared for our parents and our devotion. He knew I respected him for that, and often thanked him for taking care of them selflessly. My greatest happiness is that when he died, he died sleeping and at peace. He was back on course, and his life was in a good place. He and I were in a good place. I still have one of the last texts he sent, "Ok, cool love ya, " and "just thought I would say hi and see how your doing plus tell you how much you are loved." I was talking to one of the guys I work with. He said he didn't talk to his brother that muchSaid it had been two years. Hearing that, I was very lucky to have Sam and his support. When we lost my Dad, I thought I had lost my last true male supporter, but I hadn't. I had Sam, and I realize that now more than ever. Sam had a great sense of humor. My family always added some type of humor into tragedy. For example, when he put the fire out on my Mom, he was later teased that he beat the crap out of her. Even he cracked up over that one. I will miss my brother and his support, his strong laugh and good sense of humor more than I could have ever known. Our brother, our hero, our friend, is gone. But not forgotten. I hope everybody will come back and visit him. He is with our Dad, and I know he would be so happy for that. R.I.P Big Brother. I love you and I will be seeing you again. I know there is a beautiful, wonderful place for a son in heaven who gave his family, especially his parents, so much. I hope you all will cherish your memories and he will continue to live in your hearts and minds. I know he will mine. Sammy "Sam Jackson" Shannon Hicks. We love you and you are forever in our hearts. By Glenda Hook (Sissie)