Barry Luther Hicks, born October 25, 1950, to Maxine and Ronald Hicks of Arvada, Colorado, passed away on January 5, 2024, at the age of 73 from ALS. A man of adventure, humor, and compassion, he left an indelible mark on those around him. A graduate of Arvada West High School and CU Boulder, he later earned a Master’s degree while balancing work and family life.
Barry, a loving husband to Linda, was an engaged father to Eric and Jamie, and a doting grandfather to Felicity and Joseph. His varied career spanned teaching languages, working as a machinist/supervisor for Sundstrand, with stints in Singapore, Illinois, and Colorado. Known for his love of the outdoors, cigars, beer, and chili cook-offs, Barry’s zest for life was infectious. His talents in gardening, guitar, and craftsmanship were renowned, as was his mustache and humor.
In retirement, he continued to explore, visiting places like Machu Picchu and New Zealand. Even as ALS challenged him, his spirit remained unbroken. Barry’s legacy lives on through his family, including his wife, children, grandchildren, sisters Jacque and Leslie, and many relatives and friends. Donations in his memory to the ALS Association are appreciated. Barry, preceded in death by his parents Ronald and Maxine, will be deeply missed but forever remembered for his love, laughter, and life’s adventures.
A memorial service is being held on Thursday, January 25th at 10:30 am at the Neighborhood Friends Church of Arvada located at 9889 W. 66th Avenue, Arvada, CO 80004. Refreshments to follow service.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like for a donation to be made to the ALS Association for a cure in Barry Hicks’s name.
Barry will be greatly missed ! As a brother-in-law he fit right into our family! As a father he was amazing! As a husband he provided a great life for my sister! And as a man he was a gentleman, honest, loyal , true to his word and would help anyone who needed if he could! I will always remember the times we spent long ago fishing and family get togethers! He most definitely impacted my life with his patience and good will! Barry you will live on in our hearts and memories forever ! The world has been blessed with your presence, now Rest In Peace!!
Barry was and always will be a friend and someone I looked up to. He will be with me in my thoughts and prayers.His spirit and energy lives on in all of us lucky enough to have met him. He is a true teacher of how to live, love and treat one another. This world lost one of the finest gentlemen to have ever graced this planet.
This is a beautiful tribute to Barry!❤️
I idolized cousin Barry. Are families spent a lot of time together in the early chapters of Barry’s life, especially so after our families bought homes less than a mile apart in Arvada in the early 60’s. I have fond memories of walking to the stables in Ft. Morgan to see the horses, Christmas with everyone crammed into the living room opening gifts, one at a time and you had to guess first. Ferocious ping-pong games, family fishing trips, and later a few fishing trips where it was just me with the cousins. One fishing trip was just Barry and me; Barry had just got his license and we drove to Deckers for a day of fishing. On the way home he lost control of the car and ran into the hill. Everyone was fine and the car had minimal damage but Barry was devastated that he might have hurt me and kept apologizing the rest of the way home. A number of years before that I found myself going down the wrong path but was able to get back on track by putting Barry on a pedestal and working to be just like him. I remembering discussing this with my mom and she just rolled her eyes and commented that Barry is as wild as Ronald was in his youth. This, of course, meant nothing to me back then, but it likely had something to do with Barry “racing down the highway of life in the left lane”. I hope Linda, her family, Jacque and Leslie can find some solace by taking the time to recognizing that little bit of Barry that lives in every life that he touched.
What a beautiful tribute Rich. He will be missed by many, along with his great sense of humor and big heart.
Wow, there’s been a lot more wonderful comments written about Barry, now. Rich, yours was the first and only one I’d seen. These are all so good, Brad, I loved reading yours and remember these great times as well.
Barry is and will continue to be greatly missed.
Linda and family, l am so sorry for your loss. Barry was a remarkable man. He will be missed.
I am so sorry to hearof Barry’s passing. I remember him to be very kind when we were in high school. I wish all the comfort and healing to Linda and the family.
Thank you to all who take the time to write your thoughts and feelings to the most extraordinary man I have ever known. He is and was my heart and soul. He was a quiet man but when he talked , people listened. He constantly thought of his family and how devastated he was to see our grief, tears and sorrow. He never thought of himself, even through sickness. I don’t know how or why this happened but I do know life changed in a nano second. Remember to love those around you as the hug you give could be your last. Our family misses him more than words can express. I love you sweetheart. Your free now, how exhilarating you must feel. Don’t forget us, you are ingrained in our hearts forever.
He was an amazing man Linda and now he is your forever angel. Fly high Barry and always watch over your loved ones. Forever in my heart
This obituary exudes such love for Barry, my brother; it is perfect! Growing up, our lives were filled with many moments of joy with our family (including our extended family) and friends.
I know that Barry, Leslie and I have felt lucky that most of us have stayed in Colorado, allowing us to maintain closeness and enabling family ties to thrive into the second, and third generation of cousins.
Barry, I will always love and miss you. ❤️
Barry was one of the first guys I met at Arvada West HS when I move there late in our Sophomore year. His kind nature, intelligence, good humor, and friendliness stood out. He was a God send for my early days in a new school.
I never knew about Barry’s adventures but it shouldn’t surprise me. He seemed to find a way it interject humor into everything he did or say. I can just see him making friends wherever he went in the world.
His goodbye message to us was so “Barry”. I laughed and shed tears. It was an honor to be a small part of his time with us.
Be at peace my friend. See you on the other side.
Uncle Barry
Peaceful. Patient. Playful.
A true storyteller.
He was so full of love.
I always admired his humor & his heart.
A gentle soul now at rest.
I love you, Barry.
Rachel Ballarin, Ma of Bar’s buddy, Lar, West Sacramento, CA
who preceded him in death on March 29, 2010.
B arry was a man we knew so gentle and kind, qualities he possessed just hard to find
A way, far away now, Bar joins his buddy Lar, together can relive youthful days without a care
R estrain ourselves to think he’s left us forever, look for his Blessings until the Dawn of Never
R eprieve it is from this old world so full of strife, Heaven needed him on the other side of life.
Y ears he worked hard, but ‘a life well spent’, Bar even said so just before he Went.
Such a great man. Always contributed his humor to our silly comments.