Don and I spent a lot of time over the last eight years at dinner, occasional lunches, coffee time at Starbucks, time at church, and, ultimately, visits in the hospital or rehab facility. These are the things that I will remember about Don: He had a mind like a steel trap for details. He always amazed me at the things he remembered about our relationship and experiences over the years and they would just drop into a conversation when least expected. He was never afraid to speak his mind and did so frequently. But even when he did there was always a component of love. He always directed his thoughts towards identifying right and wrong or good and bad in a situation or a relationship relative to scripture. Always looking for truth in every instance. He loved to laugh and was always a great audience for a joke. He never missed an opportunity to listen when we were together. He always made me feel welcome and appreciated. In the face of pain, disappointment, and endless cycles of medical care that most of us will never be able to relate to, he never gave up hope for healing or resolution and he never lost his faith in Jesus. The words warrior and overcomer describe Don fully! Don loved to go deeper in God's Word and had very little tolerance for religious charlatans and "drive-by" Christians who distort scripture and call it truth, and deceive great masses of people with their error. His motivational spiritual gift (see Romans 12) was prophecy. He saw things in black and white and was zealous for God's truth! He was color blind to gray. You either lined up with God's Word or you were wrong! I will never cease to appreciate his spiritual heart for the true and deep things of God! Don, as much as anyone I have ever known, was loyal. He was loyal to his friends and was willing to quickly forgive if necessary. He was loyal to His Lord despite life circumstances that he would have never chosen on his own. He was loyal to his family in body, soul and spirit and loved every family member intensely and without fail. It will be a joy to see a whole Don Hice in heaven one day! Without a doubt God is delighted to have him there. I can picture him running continuously, just because he can, and praising the Lord with every step! I know God loves us unconditionally, and we are never on a performance basis with Him, but if ever there was man who "earned" his heavenly reward, it is my friend, Don Hice. Mike Everett
