WILMINGTON — Lewis “Lew” John Hicks of Wilmington, NC passed away on June 22 at the age of 82.
Lew was born November 27, 1942 in Romulus, NY to John and Georgia (Gable) Hicks. When he and his brothers, Dave and Keith, were not causing mischief or annoying their sister Margie during their youth, Lew played both football and basketball. He kept up his passion for sports and any type of car racing over the years, frequenting the racetrack at Watkins Glen. Lew could not get enough of the outdoors and especially loved being on the water enjoying boating, fishing and watersports.
From a young age Lew was drawn to nature and science; eventually leading him through college and on to Cornell University in Ithaca, NY where he studied and then worked as a chemist with the College of Veterinary Medicine for the State of NY and where he met his future wife, Karen.
Lew and Karen were married in 1970 and started their family outside Ithaca in the quiet town of Newfield, NY. The family moved to Wilmington, NC in 1981 where the children spent most of their youth while Lew and Karen both worked as chemists. Lew worked more than 30 years with Environmental Chemist Inc. while fulfilling his dream of raising a family in the coastal lifestyle.
When he wasn’t working, fishing/boating, running kids to sports practices/games or taking the family on hiking or camping trips, he could be found tinkering in his workshop. In his later years, he spent more time on the porch behind the shop enjoying the view of the water with a cold one and his dog after their daily walk to the point.
Lew is preceded in death by his parents and his brother David Hicks.
He is survived by his beloved wife Karen (Pauwe) Hicks, son Sam Hicks (Janeen) of Huntersville, NC, daughter Lindsay Smith (Raynor) of Raleigh, NC, daughter Sara Gordon (Bryan) of Gastonia, NC, sister Margaret Hooper of Eliot, ME, brother Keith Hicks (Kathy) of San Diego, CA, and five grandchildren Connor and Riley Hicks, Harper and Davis Smith, and Weldon Gordon.
A memorial visitation will be held 1:00-3:00 PM Saturday, July 19, 2025 at the Andrews Mortuary Valley Chapel 4108 S College Rd in Wilmington.
