Woody Franklin Hickox

Woody was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma. His early childhood was spent moving around Oklahoma and Texas until his family settled in El Paso, Texas.

The child of two teachers, Woody had a strong sense of curiosity and was a voracious reader. He spent his working life pursuing many careers and his interest in people meant that he never met a stranger (or a grocery clerk he didn’t flirt with). Many social gatherings and holidays were sprinkled with family, old friends, and new friends he struck up a conversation with somewhere.

Always the life of the party, Woody didn’t do many things in moderation (except for home and automotive repairs). He loved good food, whiskey, fast cars, and motorcycles.

After he was unceremoniously asked to leave two Texas universities, Woody joined the Navy in 1966 and was fortunate enough to spend the majority of his service stationed in Galveston, Texas aboard the USS Haynsworth. Leaving the military with a newfound sense of responsibility he graduated from the University of Houston in 1974.

After graduating, Woody moved to Santa Fe, NM where he owned and operated an appliance shop and started his family. Woody was the father to Meg and Tim, and was the kind of dad who enjoyed spending time with his kids. Many an evening was spent playing poker or Trivial Pursuit and because Woody was a treasure trove of weird facts and knowledge, he only lost once - in his whole life. He coached various sports teams and attended eleven Dad’s Weekends at Wazzu, loving every one of them.

Rugby was a beloved hobby of Woody’s and he spent many weekends playing with the Santa Fe Rugby club as well as a club in Seattle. His rugger days were highlighted with a story that made the Winter Park Manifest (a Colorado newspaper) when he walked the entire length of the Moffatt train tunnel - six miles - while seeking a shortcut back to the team hotel.

In 1980 Woody moved with his family to Kirkland, WA. He loved sports and soon became a huge fan of all the Seattle sports teams, especially the Seattle Supersonics; he was a season ticket holder for many years. Howard Schultz, if you are ever alone and feel an angry presence and a cool sensation, it’s probably Woody haunting you.

In 1989, Woody married Penny, the love of his life. They were total opposites, and together they made a life rich with friends, family, and bickering about home improvement projects. Penny and Woody loved each other fiercely and her presence in his life was a gift.

Woody had different connections with each of his kids, all rooted to something he shared with them. Meg and Woody spent time enjoying music, books and movies together. The weirder the better. Tim and Woody shared motorcycles, interesting projects, and explosives. Penny’s son, Jeff, and Woody spent a good deal of time working on car rebuilds together.

Woody had a special group of friends who shared his love of motorcycles and cool cars, and they would often take long motorcycle trips together. Sometimes his trip home was taken by bus or tow truck. The Rowdy Boys were a part of his life that he cherished.

Woody was preceded in death by his father, Woodrow Carl Hickox, his mother, Hazel Beatrice Hickox, and his brother Steven Ellis Hickox.

Woody is survived by his wife, Penny Hickox, of Kenmore; his children, Meg (Chris) Ackerson, Tim (Christine) Hickox, and Jeff Boschee. He was a beloved Papa to six grandchildren - Chandler and Robert Boschee, Anna and Jenna Weber, and Grace and Max Hickox.

A celebration of Woody’s life will be held Friday, September 30th at 11:00 a.m. at Acacia Memorial Park and Funeral Home with a reception to follow at Lake Forest Bar and Grill.