Scott Hicks

Scott Hicks was a young man with an inquisitive mind. Even in his earliest years he wanted to understand how things worked and could always be found tinkering with something or taking something apart. As a boy he enjoyed building things, riding his bike, playing sports (especially hockey), and of course- playing the latest gaming system. He was interested in cars and enjoyed learning how to fix them, modify them, and much to his mother’s dismay… make them faster and louder. He often preferred being at home playing video and computer games including World of Warcraft – an online gaming experience. A true man of the times, Scott was an avid text-messager and facebooker. Scott also enjoyed reading Harry Potter books when he was younger. More recently his favorite authors included Paulo Coelho and J.D. Salinger. He enjoyed watching and playing sports throughout his life. He played both soccer and travel hockey. Scott also played hockey for his high school in East Lyme, Ct. Scott also loved playing basketball in the park and shooting hoops in his driveway. He was a huge fan of the Detroit Red Wings hockey team and the North Carolina Tar Heels basketball team. When it came to movies Scott enjoyed watching dramas and comedies. He especially enjoyed movies with Adam Sandler. He liked comedians such as Eddie Izard and George Carlin. Scott’s favorite foods were sushi, seafood and steak. He was never one to turn down a plate of mussels or crab legs. He enjoyed the seafood on the East Coast. He wasn’t a picky eater, and was usually too much on the move to be concerned with when and what he would eat. Of course, he was never too busy to make his beloved chocolate malts- his favorite treats. His Grandma Barb always indulged his “breakfast for dinner” requests. As Scott matured he became interested in learning about various religions. He enjoyed movies such as The Davinci Code and enjoyed talking about and discovering the foundations and origins of different religions, but also held an appreciation for the diverse points of view represented in each. Scott combined his wealth of knowledge with his ability to expressive nature which made him a great conversationalist. He preferred to read non-fiction, and figure out how to apply his knowledge to the world around him. He much preferred to engage in debate and information sharing than to write about a topic. He especially liked to talk with his sister about everything from history to the hockey greats. Scott and his sister often talked about life’s hurdles and triumphs. They especially found comfort in being able to talk to each other about their father, both being unafraid to share their memories and expressions of heartache. Scott was forever accepting of others and their faults. Never one to be judgmental or critical of others, his heart drove him to be helpful and loyal to his friends and family. Scott had so many things left to do and so many dreams unrealized, such a young man who should have had many more chapters in this untold story. Yet instead of a promising lifetime of moments, all we are left with is empty pages. Scott was a remarkable young man to so many in his life and his absence will be greatly felt by those he leaves behind, his bright light extinguished much too soon.

Scott was born in 1988, a time in our nation’s history like no other. Technology was taking America places we had never been. In the year 1988 cd’s outsold vinyl records for the first time, the group U2 was awarded the top album of the year, and America was still reeling from the second largest stock market crash in history the year before. This was a year of great celebration in the home of Thomas and Carol (Kempthorne) Hicks as they welcomed the birth of their son, Scott Thomas, on September 7th. Scott was born over nine years after his sister Janet, and she recalls endless years of wishing for a baby brother. The family spent a majority of Scott’s lifetime in Portage, Michigan in a house that they had built for them when they decided to have a second child. Scott loved his room and the large deck and hot tub. He loved the fireplace in his childhood home, and had a couple unfortunate run-ins with it, leaving a tiny scar in the middle of his forehead. Scott attended local schools including Woodland Elementary and West Middle School. He moved to Connecticut when his mother’s job relocated them. He graduated in 2007 from East Lyme High School in East Lyme, Connecticut, and eventually returned to Michigan.

There were so many things that made Scott unique and so many things that made him easy to love. At his core, he was shy and deeply sensitive. He preferred a small group of friends with whom he shared similar interests. Scott had a compassionate spirit and was at his best when helping others. He participated with Habitat for Humanity while he was in Connecticut, and aspired to work as a counselor for troubled teens at a wilderness camp in Utah during 2008. Scott had big plans for the future as he moved back to Kalamazoo just this year and was attending school at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. He was especially interested in chemistry and was planning to continue his studies at Michigan State University. He had hopes of entering the life sciences field, or working on alternative fuel research.

With so much love to give, Scott brightened the lives of so many around him. He had a bright smile that always brought his mother joy. Scott was interested in so many different topics that he found it easy to relate to many people about many different things. Scott’s laughter was infectious and he had an easy, casual way about him. Although his family and friends now say goodbye, they will forever treasure the moments they were given. Scott will be dearly missed.

Scott T. Hicks of Kalamazoo died on Friday, December 18, 2009. Scott’s family includes his mother, Carol Hicks of Salem, CT; 1 sister, Janet (Brooks) Hicks of Springfield, MA; 2 nephews, Anthony and Damian of Springfield, MA; 2 grandmothers, Barb Kempthorne and Celia Hicks; and 7 aunts and uncles and their families. He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas and 2 grandfathers, Ernie Kempthorne and Ronald Hicks. Family and Friends will be received Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at the Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes – Kalamazoo, MI, 6080 Stadium Dr. 375-2900 where a service to honor his life will also be held Thursday at 11 a.m. Interment in Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery. Food and fellowship will follow at Milwood United Methodist Church. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign his guest book, share a memory or photo, or make a memorial contribution to the Gilmore Center, Elizabeth Upjohn Community Healing Center or Compassionate Friends.