CHARLES CLARE HICKS

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CHARLES CLARE HICKS

Charles Clare Hicks was born on October 31st, 1929, in Hartney, Manitoba. He passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on August 19th, 2024, surrounded by family, after a long and fulfilling life.
Clare was the beloved son of Roy and Margaret, and he spent the majority of his lifetime on the family’s homestead, Rosedale Farm along the Souris River. Growing up with his siblings Evelyn and Gerald, where he learned the values of hard work, resilience, and love for the land. From a young age, Clare took on the roll of running the farm, whether tending livestock, working the land, or operating large machinery, he poured his heart and strength into his work-a trait that remained with him throughout his life.
He attended Grand Bend School, and fondly remembered his rides to school in a horse-drawn buggy driven by his Grandfather William or on the back of his faithful pony Daisy. He also took an electrical course in Brandon.
Clare enjoyed ball and hockey as a young man, but his talent lay in the sport of curling, which he took up at the Melgund rink. He enjoyed playing for some 50 years, teaching his children to curl. He enjoyed golf and took it up again later in life and found it equally enjoyable to hunt in the rough for stray golf balls. At the age of 88 he enjoyed his last summer of golf; playing as many rounds as his age.
Clare met and married Elizabeth Rose Asmundson of Westbourne Manitoba, and together they raised a family of five girls and three boys. Clare took great pride in teaching his children the values of hard work, the joys of farm life, and how to ride horses. He coached hockey, was a 4-H leader, an avid fan of the kids sporting and school events and enjoyed the busy life that 8 children brought.
In 1963, Clare accomplished a lifelong goal of obtaining his pilot’s license. This love for flying we think was sparked by seeing the pilots at the Commonwealth training centres as a young boy. He purchased a plane with a neighbour and together they obtained a Predator Control Permit and had exciting adventures curbing the coyote population from the sky above.
His deep connection to the land extended to his animals, especially his horses and cattle. Clare expanded his herds over the years on the Circle Dot Stock Farm across the river from the family homestead. Many hours were spent in the hay flats and long winter days calving out cows. A natural rider who grew up on the back of horse, he stood tall in the saddle and rode with ease and grace. A cowboy at heart, his passion of horses lead him on many adventures. Taking up chuckwagon & chariot racing in his 50’s. With a mischievous smile he attempted the thrilling Ben Hur chariots. He organized many trail rides through the Lauder Sandhills, for friends and family to enjoy and travelled all over Manitoba and Saskatchewan to attend other rides. A dream come true to ride the Boundary Commission Trail, a 5-day trek from Wood Mountain to Fort Walsh – a journey he completed twice, once with son Brendan.
At the age of 72, Clare & Betty moved to Virden, but this didn’t slow him down. He volunteered on the Pioneer Home Museum Board, at the library, and at the recycling depot. He joined the Oak Lake Royal Legion Branch. He also helped Betty organize music jams in Virden and enjoyed chauffeuring her to many gigs-seizing the opportunity for a good waltz or two-step along the way. His early years delivering farm equipment for CCIL made him a natural fit for his new role at Piston Ring, delivering parts and making friends with his gift for conversation. Becoming a grandfather was the cherry on the top of a good life and having them spread out in age kept him young and active for a long time. He was often found following them around to the hockey rink, football field and baseball diamonds. He passed on his love of horses and golf to some and his love of chocolate to the little girls. Never passing up the chance to give a big hug or to slip a little cash into their hands.
Clare was blessed with good genes and lived a long life, he had an exceptional memory and could recall events, places and people with great accuracy. Whether soaring through the skies or racing the ponies well into his 60s, Clare showed us all that age is no barrier to chasing your passions. Many lessons can be drawn from Clare’s life: find joy in the simple things, savor a home-cooked meal, watch a prairie sunrise or sunset, tap your toes to a good song, and enjoy a leisurely ride on a strong horse. Laugh at a good joke, work hard, take time for a nap and always make time to chat with family and friends. His legacy will live on for generations to come. Rest Easy Old Cowboy.
Clare is survived by his eight children: daughter, Kimberly (Graham) MacKenzie of Pipestone and their children: Derek (Eva) MacKenzie (son, Cole), Jason MacKenzie (deceased) (his daughter, Sarah) and Gavin (Cheryl) MacKenzie, (children, Rylee and Luke); daughter, Jacqi Hicks of Hartney; son, Morley (Donna) Hicks of Deloraine; daughter, Lisa Hicks of Virden; son, Ryan (Sara) Hicks of Virden (son, Ethan); daughter, Tanya Hicks of Virden; daughter, Marla (Alan) Wilson of Virden and their children: Coyle (Ashlynn) Wilson (daughter, Bennett), Dalton Wilson and Leif Wilson; son, Brendan (Trisha) Hicks of Hartney and their children: Lincoln, Carson, Aidrik, Vanessa and Vayda; sister, Evelyn Hicks of Hartney.
He was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Hicks; grandson, Jason MacKenzie; parents, Roy and Margaret Hicks; and brother, Gerald Hicks.
A celebration of life officiated by Joyce Marsh was held on September 14th, 2024, in Lauder Manitoba. A fitting afternoon of visiting, music and good food. If anyone wishes to, donations can be made to the Lauder Cemetery or the charity of your choice.

Expressions of sympathy can be left at www.redpathfuneralhome.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 02, 2024