Clarence A. Hicks, Jr.

Hicks, Clarence A., Jr. Age 85. June 26, 2009 of Dearborn. Formerly of Grosse Ile and Lincoln Park. Beloved husband of the late Dorothy. Loving dad of Cheryl Krakow (Carl), Dennis (Joann), Mary Jo (Mark) Carrier, Melanie (Jeffrey) Keiffer and Clarence A., III (Vickie). Dearest grandpa of 15. Great grandpa of 6. Brother of Ellen Norton. Brother-In-Law to Jane Tierney, Rosemary Tierney, SSJ, Dolly (Don) TeBeau and Michael (Sally) Tierney. Our Kind and Wonderful Father Dad was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1924. He was very active as a child, always getting hurt or causing trouble. He channeled some of his energy into boy scouts and earned 23 merit badges. He even became the assistant scout master! In high school he worked in his parent's business. Finally in his senior year, he was allowed to go out for sports. As a senior at Lincoln Park High School, he ran cross country and track. He took first place in all the meets that year, earning all State and finished 5th in the state in the two mile. His running skills earned him an athletic scholarship to Bowling Green University. Unfortunately WW II interrupted his education. Dad enlisted in the Army Air Corps and graduated from the pilot cadet program as a second lieutenant. Home on leave, he met a beautiful girl, Dorothy Ann Tierney, on New Year's Eve 1943. She was not his date but he pursued her anyway. They fell hopelessly in love and on his next leave home they were engaged. Mom traveled east to Westover Field Massachusetts with her mother and married our dad on October 30, 1944. Six weeks later, Dad left Maine in his B-24 for the base in Italy. On his tenth mission over Germany he was shot down and seriously wounded by shrapnel. He remained at the controls and saved the crew despite a crash landing. Dad earned the Purple Heart, the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery. He spent 11 months in hospital recuperating with a shattered leg. Dad continued in the Air Force for 17 years until he was told he was no longer physically qualified for military service. He retired as a major in rank. His war wound plagued him for the remainder of his life. He spent way too many holidays in the hospital trying to correct the many orthopedic complications. Dad returned home to Michigan to raise our family. He always put us first. He worked tirelessly to support our family. He worked as an appraiser and tax administrator for over thirty years. Dad volunteered in professional and service organizations, our schools and at church, teaching us the importance of volunteering time and talent. He kept us safe and happy. With a firm hand, he ruled our house..he taught us right from wrong. He encouraged us to "do our best" and to succeed. He gave us the gift of college education and launched us on our careers. Even when we disappointed him, he accepted our defeats and waited for us with open arms. Dad was married to our mom, Dorothy for 62 years; their marriage was a testament to true and lasting love. He always said "she was the best part of his life". When he retired from the Michigan Tax Tribunal, they traveled, enjoyed their many grandchildren and friends and played a lot of cards! When mom died in 2006, we didn't think Dad would ever be the same. He surprised us all, developing new friendships, socializing and taking the lead in many activities at Oakwood Commons. In the end, Dad accepted his suffering in silence. Rarely was a complaint issued from his lips. In the past few weeks, weak and unable to refuse, we were finally given the privilege of caring for him. God gave us the opportunity to return what Dad had given us in kind. What an amazing gift to be able to give him the tender care he'd rendered us. His blue eyes sparkled and we reveled in his love and thanks. We can only imagine Dad's joyful reunion with all his family in heaven..unencumbered by infirmity and pain; he's leading the pack, running that final Victory Lap in first place..Dad: "God Bless You".