Duane Leland Hicks was born on Nov. 26, 1934 in Jimtown, Okla. and after living a full life, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021 at his home in Marietta, Okla. at the age of 86. He was one of four sons born to James A. and Faye (Gipson) Hicks. 
Duane graduated from Leon High School with the Class of 1952. He continued his education at the University of Oklahoma where he earned his bachelor’s degree; then he attended Southern Methodist University and obtained his Master’s of Engineering Degree; and then on to Cal State Fullerton where he earned his Master’s of Business Administration Degree.
On November 2, 1957, Duane married the love of his life, Shirley McGill in Marietta, Okla.. After college, they resided in Fort Worth, Texas where he went to work as a Design Engineer for Convair until 1963. They relocated to Orange, Calif. where he went to work for Pacific Scientific Company for 10 years, until he was offered a position with Bell Helicopter which relocated them to Keller, Texas in 1973. Duane enjoyed serving his community and was elected as a City Councilman and the first president of the Keller Chamber of Commerce.
In 1997, he decided it was time to retire and move back to Love County. Duane was a member of the Marietta Church of Christ. He was an inventor and enjoyed working with machinery. Duane loved his cars, tractors, motorcycles, airplanes, and his family.
Those left to carry on Duane’s legacy include his precious wife, Shirley Hicks of the home; son, Doug Hicks and wife Jerry Lynn of Hurst, Texas; daughters, Gina Taft and husband Richard of Naples, Fla. and Jerri Stone and husband Ted of Dallas, Texas; grandchildren, Alex Taft, Lauren Taft, Kevin Hicks, Kyle Hicks, Lindell Stone, Parker Stone, and Preston Stone; and great-granddaughter, Allison Grace Stone.
Duane was welcomed in heaven by his parents, James and Faye Hicks; and brothers, James Weldon Hicks, Thurston Hicks and Myron Hicks.
Services for Duane will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 18, 2021 at the Marietta Church of Christ with Bro. Allen Woody officiating. Interment will follow in the Leon Cemetery, under the direction of Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Marietta.
Serving as casket bearers are Alex Taft, Kevin Hicks, Kyle Hicks, Lauren Taft, Lindell Stone, Parker Stone and Preston Stone. Honorary bearers are Vance Parr and Allen Woody.
Visitation is Sunday from 3-5 p.m. at the funeral home.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, Oct. 18, 2021, at the Marietta Church of Christ.
Arrangements under the direction of Watts Funeral Home.