Maxine Hicks

Vivian Maxine Hicks, aka “Maxine” and “Max,” age 93, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2024, at her home in Menifee, CA after a lengthy battle with Dementia. She was born on November 9, 1930, in Bowling Green, KY to Claude and Lucy Burton. Her family consisted of four sisters, three brothers and granny. Raised Dutch Reform and later Presbyterian.

Her career started as a server in Dayton, OH. She expanded her career into office clerical, accounting, receptionist and finished as a business investor. She worked at Ridings Cadillac and Calif Dept of Fish and Game in Long Beach, CA for many years.

Early life, she loved to hunt and fish, explore the outdoors, and enjoy life. Later years, she loved to travel, especially to Catalina Island, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Mexico, and various cruises. Max and Bill had season tickets to the Kentucky Derby for a lot of years. She enjoyed the Indy 500 and attended yearly the Long Beach Grand Prix with family and friends. They bought a motorhome and traveled throughout the continental forty-eight states. She enjoyed reading Danille Steele books and working word search puzzles. And, loved to have a fun time and her wine, as well. Max and Bill owned the Blue Tango, a 38-foot fishing boat and would deep-sea fish the Channel Islands off the coast of Southern California. She was fascinated with hummingbirds and dolphins and enjoyed the ocean.

Maxine met her first husband, Arthur Hamann, aka “Art,” in Dayton, OH. They settled down in Schenectady, NY and had a son, Glenn. Around 1961, Art was diagnosed with spinal cancer and fought a long hard battle until his passing in 1968 in Long Beach, CA. Maxine was strong and a survivor during this challenging time where she raised her son and took care of Art until his passing.

She met her second husband, Bill Hicks in Long Beach, CA. He brought immense joy and happiness to her life along with a son, Randy and daughter, Lindy. Max and Bill moved to Russellville, AR where they bought the Park Motel and trailer park and the Russellville Motel. They sold their businesses and moved to Las Vegas, NV where they owned the Silly Shirts t-shirt shop, a photograph studio in the MGM and the Cue Club pool hall. After retiring, they settled down in Seal Beach, CA. There was a group of friends, five couples, who were inseparable, and they did everything together, traveled, cruises, parties, special occasions. This group of friends expanded over fifty years. They were like family. In 2011, her husband, Bill passed away after suffering a heart attack.

Maxine is survived by son, Glenn Hamann and daughter-in-law Candace, son, Randy Hicks and daughter-in-law Elizabeth, sister, Terri Franklin, and brother-in-law Johnny, five granddaughters, three grandsons, three great granddaughters, two great grandsons and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Preceded in death by spouses: Bill and Art, sisters: Ernie, Teen, Dorri, brothers: Kenny, Jimmy, daughter: Lindy, and parents Claude and Lucy.

Maxine was a survivor and determined to make things happen. She had a challenging but rewarding life and enjoyed it to the very end. She touched the hearts and lives of many friends and family members. She had been married for over sixty years to two loving and caring husbands. Gone, but not forgotten and will be deeply missed.