Obituary of Marvin Hicks

Marvin Ray Hicks, age 91 of Genoa passed away Saturday November 14, 2009 at his home at Carla’s Cluster Care in Limon, Colorado with members of his family present. Marvin was born to Fred and Ethel (Hicks) Woodside in Flagler, Colorado on February 7, 1918 at Flagler, Colorado attended by Dr Reed and Nurse Hyett. His mother, Ethel Hicks Woodside died when he was approximately 8 months old and his father Fred sometime later. Marvin was adopted by his maternal grandparents, Hattie and Dillon Hicks and raised as their own along with Pebble, Ivan, Ted, and Wilma in the Thurman (Washington County) Colorado area. Following his schooling through the eighth grade, as was normal for those times, he helped on the family farm and also a truck hauling coal in the Denver and Coalmont, Colorado area. On November 4, 1939, Marvin married his sweetheart Alice Adams on her 18th birthday in St. Francis, Kansas. They made their home in Cheyenne, Wyoming where he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad and a gas service Station. In 1941 and 1943 their sons, Gary Wayne and Dennis Ray were born in Cheyenne. In 1945 they moved back to the family farm area near Shaw, Colorado. In 1947 they moved to Genoa, Colorado and opened Hicks Grocery and Drug in 1953. Their third son Keith Leon was born in 1950 and their only daughter Debra in 1955. They raised their family in the home attached to the Grocery store on Main Street of Genoa-- a gathering place of community and friends. A coke or piece of candy was always available along with a smile and little teasing. Even after hours, Marv was available if someone needed some milk or bread. Groceries were charged and paid for if and when possible. Years later, people have told the family, “if it were not for Marv, we would have starved”. Marvin loved sports and baseball particularly, playing first with his brothers, especially Ted, and later with traveling town teams forming many friendships and memories. The Hicks children were athletes and Marvin and Alice attended every game and supervised many pick up ball games in the back yard. He also loved to fish and in later years took up golf. His fishing pole was in the corner of his room on the day of his death. He was a Bronco and Rockies Fan and listened to every game. They retired from Hicks Grocery and Drug in 1975 and moved to a home on Kunkle Street in Genoa. Marvin. missing the ‘people connection’ went to work as a custodian for the Genoa-Hugo School system for ten years forming friendships with the staff and students. In the late ‘1980’s, Marvin developed macular degeneration which curtailed his physical activities greatly but his humor and wit remained to his death. Alice became the chauffer until her health no longer allowed In 1998 Marvin and Alice moved to the Bee Hive Assisted Living in Hugo. Marvin’s transportation was his golf cart which he drove around town and back and forth from the Bee Hive to the Nursing Home when Alice was moved there in 2002. Alice passed away in March of 2005, leaving a physical void in his life that he never regained. Marvin made his home at Carla’s Cluster Care in Limon until his death. Thanks to Gary’s help, he was able to have day trips to his Genoa home as well as to see his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who Popo loved dearly. He was a member of the Genoa United Methodist Church. He made the commitment as an adult to be baptized in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Alice, daughter in-law Syble Hicks in 1999, grandson Dana Nagy in 2006, his parents, grandparents and siblings Pebble, Ivan, and Ted. Celebrating his life is his sister. Wilma Brest of Akron, Colorado, his children, Gary of Genoa, Colorado, Dennis (Kay) of Sidney, Nebraska, Keith (Fae) of Loveland, Colorado and Debra of Denver, Colorado, 8 grandchildren, Kim (Tim) Wilson, Dana’s wife Wendi Nagy, Dale Nagy, Allen (Tamera) Nagy, Ryan (Jesica) Hicks, Kyle (Erin) Hicks, Taryn (Ryan) Gusman and Justin Hicks, (11) great- grandchildren; Jamie Wilson, Taylor and Nicolas Nagy, Leia and Hana Nagy. Kasen and Emery Hicks, Bryce and Tyler Hicks: Jamisyn Gusman: and Peyton Hicks. He is also survived by nephews, nieces and “Carlas’s Cluster Care family In 1937 an 18 year old Marvin wrote in a then 15 year old Alice’s autograph book “Dearest Alice, I wish you health I wish you wealth I wish you gold in store I wish you Heaven after death What could I wish you more! Your Pal, Marvin” This prayer has been answered for both of them.