Travis D. (TD) Hicks
Travis D (TD) Hicks age 87, beloved husband, father, Pappaw, uncle, cousin & friend of Overland Park, KS, passed away Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, at Menorah Medical Center, Overland Park, KS. He was born on Aug. 22, 1934, in Breckenridge, the son of John & Nellie (Rogers) Hicks.
Travis attended the one-room Wolf Grove community school through eighth grade and graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1952, where he lettered as a pole vaulter. Following graduation, he helped his parents on the family farm.
On April 14th, 1957, he married Suzanne Clevenger of Braymer, to whom he was happily married 64 years.
Travis served honorably in Company B of the 4th Armored Division of the U. S. Army from 1957 – 1959, where he was stationed in Erlangen, Germany. This experience supplied him with a lifetime of stories to tell. For many years he attended his Army reunions and continued to keep in touch with his Army buddies.
Working on the loading dock at the Internal Revenue Service, a stroke of good luck led to him training for a position within as a computer programmer. He eventually became an expert trouble-shooter—often being called to the Ogden, Austin and D.C. service centers to resolve various issues. Some of these business trips doubled as family vacations. He spent his entire career with the IRS, retiring in 1991. He continued to keep in touch with his former coworkers and attended monthly lunch dates he referred to as “Old Farts.”
He grew up in a time and place where everyone had a nickname. He continued to bestow nicknames to many people he met throughout his life. He often used his own unique phrases and favorite similes. To get your attention, he used his own special whistle call. Even though he would often make up words and names for things you somehow knew what he was talking about—most of the time.
Travis was a kind and generous man, devoted son & husband, exemplary father, friendly & helpful neighbor and thoughtful friend. Travis enjoyed entertaining, travel, outdoor grilling, bartending, collecting things, family history, classic country music, Clint Eastwood and WWII films, watching college basketball, the KC Royals and the KC Chiefs, chatting on the phone, “flippy dipping” (channel surfing), good Bourbon and all manner of sweet treats. He especially loved ice cream, home baked cookies & butterscotch pudding. He genuinely enjoyed hunting for the perfect “cream puff” (used vehicle) for his family members. He also got a kick out of anytime he received “VIP” treatment, freebies or perks for whatever reason. He gave an endless supply of good advice for his daughters to live by. He loved telling funny stories and thrived on making people laugh. He always happily obliged when asked to pet sit his daughters’ cats. He was definitely one of a kind and is so incredibly missed by all who knew and loved him.
We never questioned how much he loved us. It was evident in everything he did.
He was preceded in death by his dear parents; beloved wife Suzanne, in August 2021; infant brother, John Jr; grandson, Tanner Davis and nephews, Kevin Null and Gerald Clevenger.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory his devoted, but heartbroken daughters, Lori Hicks and Lisa Davis (Scott), both of Overland Park; grandson, Quinton Davis; step-grandson, Johnathan Davis; step-granddaughter, Bailey Davis; brother-in-law, Gary Clevenger; sister-in-law, Nancy Null; nephews, Danny Clevenger, Brian Clevenger, Jared Null and several great nieces & great nephews.
The family thanks the staff at Menorah Medical Center for their care and compassion.
A memorial service and interment of both Travis & Suzanne’s urns will take place at 11 am on Saturday, May 7, 2021, at Mt. Moriah Cemetery, Chapel of Hope Reflections Columbarium, 10507 Holmes Rd, Kansas City, MO, immediately followed by a visitation and celebratory reception honoring Travis’s storied life at the Tuileries Condominiums clubhouse, 10801 Glenwood St, Overland Park, KS 66211.
If you wish, may we suggest memorial contributions in Travis’s memory to: Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust (cst.dav.org)
