Steve Hicks

Robert Steven “Steve” Hicks passed away peacefully on January 7, 2026, surrounded by the family he adored, after an eight-year battle with cancer. Steve was a loving husband, devoted father, loyal friend, successful businessman, and generous philanthropist. Above all, Steve will be remembered for his kind and gentle heart and his unique ability to make people feel seen and loved. Steve made the world a better place.

Steve was born on February 24, 1950, in Dallas, Texas, the third of four sons of John Hardin Hicks Jr. and Madelyn Ollis Hicks. He grew up in Dallas, Port Arthur, and Beaumont. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 1964 and graduated from Forest Park High School in 1968. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard before going to college. Steve attended the University of Texas at Austin, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Government in 1972. At UT, he was a proud member of Sigma Phi Epsilon and The Silver Spurs. Steve often spoke about how his experience as a Longhorn was pivotal in his life — helping him find confidence, embrace leadership roles, and form lifelong friendships. A devoted fan of UT athletics, Steve proudly passed that passion on to his children, stepchildren, and grandchildren.

Steve grew up in the radio business, working as a disc jockey at KLVI, his father’s radio station. After graduating from UT, Steve and Debbie moved to Beaumont to start their family and he began working full time in the family business. At age 29, he bought KLVI from his father, launching a long and storied career as an entrepreneur and business owner.

What began with a single station grew over several decades into a national footprint. In the early 1990s, Steve co-founded and led SFX Broadcasting, Inc., building it into a publicly traded company and one of the country’s largest radio groups. He made radio history by inventing the local marketing agreement (LMA), a breakthrough that changed how radio stations operated and helped return many to profitability. His innovative management approach ultimately helped persuade Congress to change ownership rules through the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Steve later partnered with his brother Tom and founded Capstar Broadcasting Corp., serving as its CEO. Under his leadership, Capstar acquired more than 50 companies in three years, including SFX, and debuted a successful initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in 1998. At its peak, Capstar owned 350 radio stations, more than any company at the time. In 1999, Capstar merged with Chancellor Media Corp., and the combined company was acquired by Clear Channel Communications in 2000.

After stepping away from radio, Steve began a second career as an investor and mentor. Through Capstar Partners, he invested in businesses across many industries, but his true passion was helping entrepreneurs solve complex problems and create long-lasting organizations. He believed as much in people as he did in businesses, and he cherished the friendships formed along the way just as much as the successes. Steve spearheaded successful real estate projects in Big Sky and St. Barth’s and led notable investments, including the acquisition and sale of DMX, Inc., the roll-up of Harden Healthcare, and in 2012, becoming the first outside investor in Kendra Scott Design, helping nurture what became one of Austin’s most beloved companies. Steve was a longtime member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and served as Education Chair and Chapter Chair of YPO Austin.

Steve’s love for the University of Texas endured throughout his life. He served on the University of Texas System Board of Regents from April 2009 to May 2023, becoming one of the longest-serving Regents in UT history, and served on The University of Texas Investment Management Company (UTIMCO) Board for a decade. He received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Texas Exes in 2018. That same year, Steve made a transformational gift to the UT School of Social Work that was deeply personal to him, inspired by a belief that social workers are “angels” capable of quietly magnifying good throughout their lifetimes. To date, the Steve Hicks Scholars and Fellows Endowment has supported 126 social work students. Steve was also a proud supporter of The Center for Students in Recovery community at UT. He was instrumental in efforts to bring MD Anderson to Austin and could often be found wearing burnt orange, cheering on his beloved Longhorns alongside family and friends.

Giving back to those in need was core to Steve’s identity. He believed strongly in second chances, humility, and showing up for others. In 2010, he created the Rise Across Texas Challenge, a bike ride across the state of Texas benefitting the Rise School of Austin. He was a longtime supporter of Austin Recovery and helped establish the Hicks Family Ranch to support those with addiction. Steve was proud of his sobriety and was a multi-decade member of Alcoholics Anonymous, never missing a Saturday morning meeting when in town. Steve found deep purpose in sharing his experience and mentoring others on their paths to sobriety. He was a longtime supporter of Foster Angels of Central Texas, the Miracle Foundation, and dozens of other charities in his lifetime. Steve modeled generosity for his children and grandchildren not through words, but through action.

Steve was endlessly curious about the world. He traveled to more than 70 countries with Africa holding a special place in his heart. He loved learning from different cultures, asking questions, and listening. He was often quoted as saying, “You can learn a lot more from listening than talking.” In his later years, Steve’s deepening faith became a core part of who he was, and provided great hope and comfort during his cancer journey. Steve was a proud member of The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.

Steve saved his best chapter for his last one — fully soaking up his family. Despite all he accomplished, Steve would tell you his greatest legacy was his family. He was immensely proud of and deeply devoted to his wife, children, and their spouses, stepchildren, and twelve grandchildren. Steve had a boundless heart and was able to love each one unconditionally. His wife Shannon was his great love, and he often said she was “a true gift from God.” With her, Steve found a new light to his life and an internal happiness. Shannon remained by his side through the most difficult days of his cancer journey, offering strength, compassion, peace, and unwavering devotion. Steve excelled at giving love so easily, and in his final years, learned to receive all of that love in return.

Until the end, Steve was surrounded by his beloved wife, Shannon Hicks; his three devoted children, Kristen Hicks Hanson, Robert Steven Hicks, Jr., and Brandon Vaughan Hicks; and his cherished stepchildren, Ryan, Will, and Luke Janek. He was a loving father-in-law to Benjamin Hanson, Carrie Hicks, and Champane Hicks, and a proud grandfather to Jackson, Harrison, Hardin, Kennedy, Steven, Elizabeth, Henry, Jenna, Katherine, Madelyn, Paige, and Carter.

Steve is also survived by his younger brother, Bill Hicks and his wife Paula, his sister-in-law Cinda Hicks, his former wife and friend, Debbie Hicks, his in-laws Carolyn and Jimmy Riddle, and many nieces, nephews, colleagues, and treasured friends.

He will be especially missed by his longtime friend and right hand, Judy Kahn, and by his faithful dog and constant companion, Sully. Steve was preceded in death by his brothers Jay Hicks and Tom Hicks.

Steve’s family extends heartfelt thanks to the incredible team of nurses, staff, and physicians who provided care for him during his time at MD Anderson, especially during the final weeks of his life, including his “QB1,” Dr. Matthew Campbell. These angels know who they are, and we are eternally grateful for your compassion during a very difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Foster Angels of Central Texas, The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, MD Anderson Cancer Center, or the University of Texas School of Social Work. Links provided below.

A celebration of Steve’s life will be held at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd on January 30, 2026, at 2:30 p.m.