In Memory Of “Uncle Darrell”

Our friend “Uncle Darrell” Hicks passed away at his home in Tulare, California on Tuesday, July 10. Although Darrell only drove a truck for a very short amount of time, he worked in the trucking industry his entire life. Darrell started out trucking in the 1960s, hauling pleasure boats and other freight, but his trucking career switched gears in 1969 when he got a sales job at Prestone. From there, he went on to work at Nalco Chemical, which eventually became part of the Penray Companies. He retired from Penray in 2007. Darrell achieved a lot in his career, but he was more known for his kindheartedness and generosity. Darrell often said he was “just a farm boy from Michigan” and that might be true, but that farm boy did some amazing things along the way during his almost 50-year career. And for most of that time (46 years), his beautiful wife Melva was at his side – and Darrell loved her for that. “Uncle Darrell” was very involved in Trucker Buddy International, the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC), he founded “Truck Day” at the Arkansas School for the Blind, and was active in many charitable organizations. Living in Arkansas for 20 years, after retiring, Darrell and Melva moved to California to find better weather. After struggling with Pulmonary Fibrosis, a progressively debilitating lung disease, “Uncle Darrell” passed away quietly at home. A memorial service was held on July 19 at their church in Visalia, California, where over a hundred people gathered to celebrate his life. At the Hick’s home church in Little Rock, a second memorial service has been scheduled to accommodate Darrell’s friends and family in Arkansas. Being held on Saturday, August 11, at the Little Rock Seventh-day Adventist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, all are invited to attend – there may even be some trucks on display parked outside the church in Darrell’s honor. For more information about this service, contact Pastor Don Fortner at (501) 240-2801. Darrell is survived by his wife Melva, their son Kristofer and daughter Kirsten, and two grandchildren. Darrell also leaves behind a brother, two sisters, and three “other brothers” and their families. Darrell Hicks treated everyone like they were family, which is one reason why everyone called him “Uncle Darrell” – and why he will be missed by so many.