Melvin Dean Hicks

MELVIN DEAN HICKS

Long time Cortez area resident and businessman, Melvin Dean Hicks, passed away peacefully at the age of 85, on December 25, 2023. Melvin was born in Hinton Okla. on Aug 25, 1938 to Cleo J. Hicks and Maude M. Alexander.

Melvin’s family moved to Dolores where he attended school before moving to Cortez High School, graduating in 1957. This is where he and Mary Elizabeth Hamilton met, they became husband & wife in 1958. Melvin’s first business adventure would be working with his father Cleo and operating the Texaco service station on Main Street in Cortez. They would later purchase and operate Cortez Glass until retiring. Even before Melvin retired his time was filled farming/ranching, and then after retiring, that became his full-time job. He and his wife Mary (a.k.a. Marybeth) Hicks were active attending to cattle they raised on their farm/ranch.

Melvin and his wife would spend a lot of time enjoying the outdoors. They were avid recreational enthusiasts; they hunted, boated, skeet shooting, fishing, horseback/trail riding and Jeeping. After obtaining his private pilot’s license he purchased a plane, taking to the air for many more adventures. Melvin served his country in the Colorado National Guard.

Melvin is survived by his wife, Mary Hicks (Vista Mesa) Cortez. There are 2 nephews and one niece on Mary’s side of the family; Brent Hamilton of Aztec N.M., Rusty Hamilton of Dolores, Colo., and Kendall Allen of Dolores, Colo. There are 2 nephews and one niece on Melvin’s side of the family, Edward Millard (a.k.a. Dwight), John Millard, and Janie Millard. Melvin is proceeded in death by his parents and sister.

No services are planned at this time.