Greg Hicks, 69, long a fixture of South Whidbey Island, died in April. He was born in Seattle and graduated from Ingraham High School. A proud member of the Marine Corps., Greg served in combat in Vietnam.

He moved to the island in the 1970s and worked at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders before becoming a welder for the University of Washington. A skilled tradesman, he was admired throughout his career for his steady work ethic.

Greg was quiet and kind, a devoted son, brother and uncle. He lept to help friend and stranger alike. Greg supported many local businesses and artists and lavished care on the dogs he rescued. He was a lover of Harley Davidson motorcycles, hard bound books and his mother’s legendary chocolate chip cookies. Fishing trips with his dad were prized memories.

If you would like to make a donation in Greg’s memory, please consider Brigadoon Service Dogs in Bellingham, earmarked to their Canines and Heroes for Independence program. These dogs address the special needs of veterans who suffer from PTSD, a condition Greg lived with for 50 years.

Online condolences can be made at Visser Funeral Home, Langley.