Jerry Dyke Hicks

Jerry Dyke Hicks, 86, of Sioux City passed away on Sunday, December 20, 2020 at St. Luke’s Medical Center from Covid. Graveside services were December 24, 2020 at Logan Park Cemetery. A celebration of Jerry’s life will be on Thursday, June 3 at 11:00 a.m. at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel. Condolences may be sent online to meyerbroschapels.com    Livestream: 

https://youtu.be/BdmBYMlRobU

   Jerry was born March 16, 1934 in Iowa City, Iowa to Dr. Wayland and Esther (Dyke) Hicks. As an infant Jerry’s family moved to Sioux City. He lived in Spokane, WA from the age of 7 to 10 years, then the family returned to Sioux City. Jerry graduated from Central High School in 1952, and then attended the University of Iowa from 1952 to 1956. He married Joan Carstens on April 25, 1953 in Hannibal, MO. Joan died on May 5, 2010 in Sioux City.

   Jerry and Joan’s first home was in Finkbine Park married student housing in Iowa City. Jerry told his children you could walk across a field and step over an 18-inch-high fence and be in the football stadium and sit wherever you wanted. He and Joan were life-long Hawkeye supporters and fans.

   They returned to Sioux City in 1956 and Jerry operated a Standard Service Station for two years. From 1958 to 1964, Jerry had various jobs all dealing with vehicle maintenance and over the road trucking. He drove for Premier Trucking and Sioux Transportation. The family lived for two years in Perry, Iowa while Jerry was employed with I.B.P. In 1966, the family returned to Sioux City. Jerry worked construction on the I.B.P. facility at Dakota City. As soon as the plant began operating, he was a supervisor, first in the offal packing and then the kill floor.

   Using his knowledge of semi-trucks, engines, trailers, and his experience in the meat packing, industry, Jerry became employed with National Adjustment Co, now named Great West Casualty Company (GWCC) in January 1971. He was a senior claims adjustor of physical damage and cargo. His job entailed many interesting cases, challenges, and travel. He excelled at this career and retired in 2001 after 30 years at GWCC.

   Jerry loved the game of baseball. After seeing a retired Babe Ruth in an exhibition game in Sioux City when he was 7 years old, he was a life-long Yankees fan. He played recreational league baseball during his twenties for the Terry Prince team. His teammates complained that he threw the ball so hard it burned their hands through their mitts.

   During the 1960s and '70s, Jerry was involved in Rivercade activities. He helped organize and direct water-skiing competitions and boat races. In 1968, he salom water skied from Omaha to Sioux City, bringing greetings and congratulations from Omaha Army Corps of Engineers, to Rivercade officials. His first attempt ended after 50 miles when the boat's engine failed. The next day he started over and completed the 119-mile journey on one ski without falling or stopping!

   Jerry was active with Mariners Swim Club and North High Boosters while his children were involved with swimming and football.

   Both Jerry and Joan attended numerous Central High School reunions and helped with planning for them. He enjoyed seeing friends from past years.

   Jerry's first love was always Joan. His second love and passion was racing. He owned his first car at 16 and had a garage where he "wrenched" on it with Joanie watching. The faster he could make his cars run the better. He raced his red '57 Chevy at the Sioux City Dragway (airport.) At age 80, Jerry purchased his first Corvette. He loved driving it, especially on the open road.

   Boating started at McCook Lake and after several years boating “on the river" was family time. His family was on the river every weekend throughout the summer for 20 years. He had four different boats, each going faster. This led to drag boat racing in Arizona and California for 35 years. Jerry raced a California Performance jet boat in the National Jet Boat Association (NJBA). He raced first in the 7 second bracket then the 6 second bracket and first in the Pro Gas Jet (PGJ), then the Unblown Fuel Jet (UBFJ) category. His wins, trophies, and records are numerous. He won nine national championships. Three times he received the NJBA's overall Sportsman Award. An October 2005 article in the Sioux City Journal featured his racing. His last race was in November 2019 going 120 mph, not bad for 85 1/2 years of age! He was ready for the March 2020 race but the Covid Pandemic shut down California. When Joan was alive, she always accompanied Jerry to the races and helped in so many different ways. He called her, his chief financial officer. The boat, "Hot Tub,” was cleverly numbered 334. Joan was born in 1933 and Jerry in 1934 hence #334. They truly were a team throughout their marriage.

   Survivors include three children, Barbara (Scott) of Orange, CA, Robert, "Bob" of Broomfield, CO, and Nancy (Darrell) Stone of EIK Point, SD; four grandchildren, David and Sarah Swanson and Hannah and MacKenzie Stone; two brothers, Wayland Jr. (Donna) of Cherokee and Forrest (Sydney) of Dallas, TX; sister-in law Jackie Roy (Adrian) of Sioux City; six nephews Dyke, Alexander, Duke, David, Chris and Casey; and several cousins. Also, many younger, close friends from the boat racing community.

   He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, and a very beloved rescue cat, TT.

   A special thank-you to the ICU nurses at St. Luke’s Unity Point for their time and care. An enormous and special thank you to Jerry's helpers and pit crews; Keith, Jack, Michael, Dave, Brad, Scott, Sean, Mike, Mark, Kevin, Ben, Mike, Lance, George T. and grandson David! Thank you, Josh, for keeping Jerry informed.

   Memorials may be made to Hospice of Siouxland, Sioux City Gospel Mission, or Racers Emergency Support Program, Inc., P.O. Box 485 in Gresham, OR 97030.

   Dad, you were one of a kind and we love you!