Larry E. Hicks
Larry E. Hicks passed away on June 29, 2026, after a hard-fought battle with cancer.
Larry "Chopper" Hicks was born on January 23, 1959, in Glasgow, Montana, to John and Helen (Bury) Hicks. He was raised in Glasgow alongside his brothers, Andy and Allan, and graduated from Glasgow High School in 1977. After graduation, he worked briefly for the Valley County Road Department before beginning his railroad career in 1979. Larry spent the next 40 years with the railroad, retiring in 2019. He loved being an engineer and never truly left the railroad behind—it was part of who he was. Trains were one of his greatest passions, and he could happily spend hours sharing stories and knowledge about them.
Larry married DeDee Ashpole on April 17, 1993. Through their marriage, he welcomed her children—Autumn, Jennifer, and Logan—into his life. After a battle with cancer in his twenties left him unable to have biological children, Larry was thrilled to adopt them as his own. He loved his children deeply and was proud to be their dad. When he became "Papa," he discovered that grandparenthood suited him perfectly, and his grandchildren quickly became one of the greatest joys of his life.
Larry loved hunting and fishing and spent as much time outdoors as he could. He was also an avid bowler and enjoyed the camaraderie and friendly competition the sport brought. His greatest pastime, however, was playing cards. He was well known for his love of card games and enjoyed teaching his children the many games he had learned over the years. Pinochle was his favorite, and during the last three years of his life he spent many hours around the card table. His lifelong friends, Mike Daggett and Bob Teskey, were often at his mercy during those games.
Larry also enjoyed playing the lottery, entering sweepstakes and winning countless prizes, collecting coins, and being an ice cream and dessert connoisseur.
As a devoted Green Bay Packers fan, Larry treasured the trip he took with his father and brothers to Seattle to cheer on the Packers in person. It remained one of his treasured memories and a story he loved to tell.
Larry spent the final four months of his life at Prairie Ridge Village, where he was cared for with compassion and kindness by the wonderful staff. He especially enjoyed the many invitations to join pinochle games, which brought him friendship and joy during his final days.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Helen (Bury) Hicks; his brother, James "Jimmy" Hicks; and his sister-in-law, Diane Hicks.
He is survived by his children, Autumn (Jeff) Scott, Jennifer Hicks, and Logan Hicks; his grandchildren: Harlyn and Pyper Brandt, Alexander Martian, Declan, Alyssa, and Jeremy Scott; his brothers, Andy (Paula) Hicks and Allan Hicks; his nieces and nephews, Leah (Nate) Miller, Bridgett (Justin) Sholley, Nathan (Kristi) Hicks, and Jon (Laurie) Hicks; and his great-nieces and great-nephews, Vaughn and Tessa Miller, Tatumn, Bo, and Tucker Sholley, Harrison and Elliott Hicks, Kiana, Khloe, and Kinsey Hicks, and Sam and Laney Missling.
Larry will always be remembered for his sense of humor, his love of family, and his joyous laugh. Whether he was talking about trains, shuffling a deck of cards, cheering on the Packers, or enjoying a bowl of ice cream, he found happiness in life's simple pleasures and in the people he loved. He is deeply loved, will never be forgotten... and everything like that.
Family will receive friends at Bell Mortuary on Thursday, July 16, 2026, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held at Bell Mortuary in Glasgow, Montana, on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., with burial at Highland Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Elks Club.
Online condolences may be left at bellmortuarymt.com.
