Michael Hicks

Hicks, Michael C., 86, passed away in Wesley Chapel, Fl. On July 23, 2025, after a lengthy battle with pulmonary disease. He had lived in an assisted living facility in Wesley Chapel for 15 months. Mike was born and raised in the Chicago area and attended college at Depauw University in Greencastle Indiana. He earned a BA degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. He was on the varsity swim team and a member of Delta Tau Delta. Mike and his love Susan were married over his semester break on January 27, 1961, in his senior year, and he graduated in June of 1961. Mike accepted a job in Chicago with Standard Oil of Indiana, working in district sales and was promoted to standards home office which required a great deal of travel. He then went to work for Minolta Camera, who were entering the photocopy market and needed to develop dealers. Mike did this through the central US and was promoted to regional manager. At this point in 1976 the Hicks family moved to Seminole, Fl. Mike set up a local print shop and sold all other forms of printing through a distributor. It took several years, but Mike admitted he was an alcoholic and on June 21, 1987, he committed himself to AA’s 12 step recovery program and stayed sober until his death. His work with others in recovery led to him looking into becoming a drug therapist. A friend in recovery advised Mike that the state of Florida had a special program for this. Mike already qualified based on his BA in Psychology. Next, he would need to spend 2 years working for a treatment facility who was qualified, such as Turning Point of Tampa, so they hired him as a house manager. He completed all requirements for the state including returning to college to update his BA, submitting all activities to the state for approval, passing 2 written exams and finally standing for and passing the state's 1-hour oral exam. He had been told that this process usually takes around 4 years, Mike completed everything in 2 years, 7 months. Turning Point was notified when all the testing was completed, and Mike immediately was promoted to therapist and joined the treatment team, and 6 months later was promoted to program manager. Mike worked for Turning Point for 20 years. He always talked about his job and how much he loved it. During that time Mike and Susan purchased a new home in an active adult community, The Groves, in Land O’ Lakes, Fl. Mike was still working but participated in the men’s golf league and played bocce ball. Susan participated in bocce ball and everything there was to do. Mike ran for and was elected to the board of supervisors for The Grove’s CDD. He served 4 years and worked on his responsibilities to the community daily. Susan and Mike remained busy until her passing on May 10, 2019. Mike is survived by his daughter Merrill Myers, sons; William McGowan and Steven Hicks, and his 6 grandchildren; Susan, Andrew, Taylor, Stevie, Cooper and Chloe.   A Celebration of Life service will take place on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 2pm in Loyless Funeral Home Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, Fl. The family will receive friends from 1pm to the start of the service.   “All that you see that's beautiful is never really gone.”