Donn Kenneth Hicks

Donn Kenneth Hicks passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. He was 73. Donn leaves behind a legacy of great stories, adventure, and laughter.

Donn was born on January 16, 1951, in Escondido, California to Ken and Ruth (McClung) Hicks. He grew up in Riverside, California with his two younger sisters, Debbie and Dorothy.  Donn met his wife, Susan, at Deerlodge Park at the beginning of a 5-day raft trip on the Yampa River. They married in 1989 and led a life of floating rivers and enjoying the outdoors throughout their 35 years of marriage. 

Donn graduated from Riverside Polytechnic High School in 1969 and The University of California at Riverside in 1974 with a degree in Wildlife Biology. He worked for the Bureau of Land Management as a Wildlife Biologist before moving to Durango in 1977. He told many stories of doing research in the Mojave Desert that included trapping kangaroo rats. In Durango he was a river guide on the Animas, Dolores, San Juan, and Rio Grande rivers and worked various jobs until friends convinced him to become a teacher. Donn attended Fort Lewis College where he earned his teaching certificate.

After substitute teaching at Durango High School, Donn taught Biology and Zoology at Aztec High School for 24 years. His enthusiastic teaching was much appreciated, and he received many awards including: Educator of the Year from the New Mexico Research and Study Council, Outstanding Science Teacher from the New Mexico Academy of Science, Substitute Teacher of the Year from the students at Durango High School, and was listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. He loved his students and his job. One student noted that Donn created in those he taught “a hunger for knowledge through his jovial demeanor in class and his clever teaching methods.”

Donn was passionate about river rafting, mountain biking, hiking, and camping. He took great pleasure in studying maps in search of new places to explore and sharing his excitement for the outdoors with others. He organized many adventures, including raft trips through the Grand Canyon. He had a special fondness for the Dolores River, which he floated hundreds of times beginning in the 1970s. One of his hopes was for people to continue to protect Public Lands so that future generations can enjoy wild places and wildlife can thrive.

Donn was always able to make people laugh and find humor in life. He helped people find a balance between life's challenges and joy. He often quoted the line, “I like every minute of the day,” from the Who song, “Blue, Red and Grey”.

Donn battled Alzheimer’s Disease for several years. This heartbreaking disease took his ability to do the things he loved. He continued to laugh and smile throughout his illness.

Donn is survived by his wife, Susan (Morris) Hicks; his sisters’ children, Andrea Caouette, Mattie Collins, Maurice Caouette, and Jesse Carter; his Morris siblings-in-law, Linda Morris, David (Elvi Schreiner) Morris, Alan (Karen) Morris, Glenn Morris; and numerous Morris nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, August 23rd, 2:00 p.m., at the River Bend Ranch, 27846 US Highway 550, Durango, CO 81301. Memorial contributions may be made to the Southwest Utah Wilderness Alliance, the Western Watershed Project, or the Center for Biological Diversity.