Nathan George Hicks was born on the 5th of June 1982 when the sunflowers were being planted in Kansas. He seemed to come out smiling. A smile beautifully perfect, infectious.

The first world he conquered was the world of grandparents.

When he tried to say Gramps, it came out Boops. So, the entire family, and even non-family, called the man Boops for the rest of his life.

He called every woman Mommy until he realized only one was Mommy. So he dropped the mommy from Mommy T, and she became T to everyone, again, for the rest of her life.

He named his other grandparents Mana and Papa. Likewise, those became their names from then on.

He had a power

He smiled

He named reality

He created a world of trucks and traveling. Long hauls and Harleys.

He talked on radios and read Boops’ poetry book in his sleeper cab at night.

Like a troubadour, a trucker version of a poet cowboy.

His poetry was not written on paper though. His art was creating a life for himself that he wanted. He ended up exactly where he wanted to be. Doing what he loved. Being with those he loved. Making mistakes. Making amends. His mantra became all is forgiven.

Once when he was little and with his cousins, someone went on a McDonald’s run. They had everyone’s order, but as they were leaving, we realized an order was missing, so we yelled Chicken McNuggets at the car. For a long time, it became the way we said good-bye when someone was driving away.

On the 5th of June in 2026, when the sunflowers were being planted in Michigan, it was Nathan’s turn to drive away. A friend made a final call on the radio:

Break 19 for a final call

Nate Dog where you at?

You got your ears on?

It’s ok Nate

Go ahead and hang up your keys

We got it from here

He left surrounded by his wife Candy, his four children, his mother, his step-father, his brother, his sister, his in-laws. Surrounded by people who loved him. People he loved.

The last photo of Nathan and Candy was in reality a wife helping her husband stand. It looks like a slow dance in heaven.

A life is remembered as a series of stories:

An old man and a little boy walking hand in hand to the orchard

A teenager attending a funeral in a heavy metal t-shirt. I mean, it was black.

A young man creating the life he wanted, learning to drive a truck, creating a business, building a greenhouse, making wine.

He stood as long as he could, and then he stood with help.

It’s rare to take your final breath on the same day you took your first. It was your last line of poetry before your drove away.

Go ahead and hang up your keys

We love you

Chicken McNuggets

Nathan George Hicks

Born June 5, 1982 in Fort Scott, Kansas.

Died June 5, 2026 in Mason, Michigan.

Nathan is survived by his:

Wife Candy (Hissong) Hicks

Son Jared Hicks. During the last few years, Jared and Nathan were able to grow their relationship as loving father and son.

Step-children Aiden Bradsher, Ashton Bradsher, Kaydence Hissong (KK)

Mother Patricia (Patty) (Townsend) Wagner

Step-Father John Wagner (SDJ)

Father John Corbett (Corby) Hicks

Brother John Hicks Jr

Sister Emily Hicks

Half-sister Kerri Wilson

Step-sister Kari Wagner

two aunts

three uncles

and many cousins

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, one uncle, Randy, and one step-sister, Kim.

Nathan’s Celebration of Life will be held on

Saturday, July 11, 2026

4-8PM

at the family residence, 4330 Bunker Road, Mason Michigan 48854.

Pastor Dutch Dockter will provide a short service, followed by a party. Per Nathan’s request, everyone is to have a good time, eat good food, and share stories!

Your presence and prayers mean the most.

If you would like to honor Nathan and support his family, in lieu of flowers, the family welcomes financial donations to help Candy and Nathan’s four children navigate their new normal.