Dustin Duane Hicks

Dustin Hicks of Priest River passed away on October 5, 2026 at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Dustin was born on January 6, 1972 in Bellingham, Washington. He was the only son of Sharon Lorraine Hicks and Jack Ryals. He was later adopted by Cecil John Hicks of Ferndale, Washington. He was preceded in death by his parents. He most recently lived in Priest River, Idaho with his sister and brother-in-law, Ashley and Sterling Smith.

He had a rough start in life but found joy in fishing, finding good bargains at garage sales with his sister, downing a cold can of Pepsi, and watching Stars Wars movie s. Almost from the cradle he had a MacGyver-like talent for jimmy rigging parts and pieces together to make almost anything work if he had a mind to. Much of his childhood was spent in Ferndale, Washington where he could be known to get into a bit of mischief and create a fair amount of mayhem. Christmas was his favorite day of the year, and he had a knack for giving the best gifts to his loved ones.

Dustin spent time in Alaska working in the sea food industry and was also employed as a mechanic and a commercial truck driver. As such he had the opportunity to travel throughout much of the United States, and he came to regard the Idaho Panhandle as one of the most beautiful parts of the country. He was diagnosed with a bone disease that caused him to be put on disability. He was never married but he had a great love for animals, especially turtles. His dog Charlie had a special place in his heart as did Moe Moe, his sister’s pet rabbit.

A private celebration of his life and the scattering of his ashes will take place on Saturday, November 7, 2026 in Priest River, Idaho. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations in Dustin’s name be made to Priest River Animal Rescue, Inc.