Michael Leslie Hicks

Michael Leslie Hicks, 70, of Eagle, Idaho, passed away on September 23, 2025, with his loving family by his side. He was born on January 2, 1955, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Clayne and Pat Hicks while Clayne was serving in the United States Army. The family moved back to Eagle when Mike was nine months old, where Mike lived the rest of his life. Mike’s sister, Carol, was born two years after him.

Mike attended Eagle grade school and Meridian High School. During high school, he worked at Quong’s Berry Farm in delivery and as head irrigator for their strawberries and mint. His growing-up years were busy and happy with many family fishing and camping trips. He developed his love of hunting early on with his dad. He graduated from Meridian High School in 1973. He attended BSU for one semester, after which he and his best buddy Tim “Buck” Buchanan decided to go to Hawaii. They had some great experiences there, but lacking good opportunities for work, they returned home.

Mike met Gloria Hamel on a singles hayride. They fell in love and enjoyed 44 years together. They enjoyed many trips in their motorhome and put many miles on the RZR. He was always curious to see what was at the end of the road, and together they explored many places. They also enjoyed spending time at the coast, visiting wineries, spending time at the cabin with family, and being at their property by Lake Cascade.

Mike started work at Star Auto as a mechanic for Jerry Wagner and Jerry Taylor in 1974. When Star Auto Parts was added, he became a co-owner and ran the parts house for 40 years until he retired in 2015.

He was an avid hunter and spent many fall trips with a group of friends. He hunted with a black powder rifle and loaded all his own ammunition. He was quite the marksman and seldom missed a shot. He even installed a cooler by his shop to hang the animals before he and his cousin Doug processed the meat.

Mike also loved to fish and spent much time with Doug at Uncle Virgil’s cabin at Lake Owyhee. He loved to go fishing with his dad and had many other fishing buddies. With Mike, there was always lots of fun, good times, and tall tales.

Mike loved speed and he and his partner Jerry Taylor raced a jet boat named Rapid Rider for quite a few years. They won the U.S. Championship and also won the World Championship in B Class in 1988. They drove many miles after work on Friday to race in Idaho, California, and Canada. After Jerry retired, Mike still raced several more years.

Mike loved to ride snowmobiles and spent many winter days at the family cabin in Smiths Ferry, Idaho. He and his brother-in-law, Jeff Schroeder, spent many hours together breaking trails in new places, and even racing on the frozen river. No one knew the backcountry of Smiths Ferry quite like Mike.

Mike will be greatly missed, but we are all so thankful for the years and great memories we will cherish. We are comforted that he has been welcomed to his heavenly home. He was preceded in death by his father, Clayne Hicks. Mike leaves his wife, Gloria; mother, Pat; sister, Carol; and brother-in-law, Jeff Schroeder. He also leaves his nieces and nephews: Alissa and Brian Aldrich and their children, Noah and Lucas; Laura and Ryan Hendricks and their children, Lydia, Isaac, Daniel, and Ellis; and Anna and Ben Anderson and their children, Emily, Julia, and Tessa.

He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Connie Bratt, and her children, Wynette, Coquille, and JJ; his brother-in-law, Jeff Hamel, and his children, Jama and Sarah; and his brother-in-law, Rob Hamel, as well as special aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Celebration of Life will be held from Open House 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm on Sunday, October 26, 2025, located at  3778 W. Sunny Cove Lane Meridian, ID 83646.