Gary Hicks

My Life Story Gary Wendell Hicks passed in the loving company of his family on May 27, 2019 at St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho. Gary’s heart had given all the love it could give. A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Michael’s Episcopal Cathedral in Boise at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 15th, followed by a reception at the Tuttle House. Gary was born on November 11, 1946, in Stockbridge, Michigan to Leonard Hicks and Luna Smith Hicks. The oldest of four children, Gary was raised in Kendallville, Indiana. He was the first in his family to graduate from college and played football at the University of Pennsylvania. After earning his bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Gary went on to serve his country in the Vietnam war, where he made several lifelong friends. Upon his return to Indiana, Gary met and married Kay Shoener. Their daughters, Alison “Alie” and Molly were born in Kansas City, Missouri, where the Hicks family spent several years. He was a doting father, proudly coaching the girls’ sports teams and lovingly encouraging all of their activities. While working full time and being a father and husband, Gary earned his master’s in business administration from Rockhurst College in Kansas City. After divorcing Kay, Gary married Annie Heck in 2000 and became stepfather to Jason Heck, or Jay-bear, as Gary affectionately called him. When Gary and Annie divorced in 2010, Gary and his two dogs, Gordo and Fritz, made the trip across the country to settle in Idaho to be closer to his two daughters and his grandchildren. He immediately became very involved in the St. Michael’s Episcopal community, where he took a position as the Director of Children’s formation as well as the mentor for the local Education for Ministry (EFM) program. In line with his life of service, Gary worked most of his life as the administrator or director for various non-profit organizations. Most recently, Gary worked as the director of fundraising and volunteer coordinator for Spay and Neuter Idaho Pets, or SNIP, in Boise. This was a fitting position for him, as his love and compassion for animals was unmatched, and he and his dog, Fritz, were inseparable. Gary used to say that he became, “Italian by marriage,” through his son in law, Tony Tenne, and he quickly joined and became very involved in the Italian American Club of Boise, where he served as treasurer. He was an active competitor in the club’s Bocce Ball league, and he loved all things Italian. Gary also volunteered his time working the phones for local National Public Radio station fundraisers in both Kansas City and Boise. Gary loved sports, music, good scotch, good beer, and barbeque. His favorite sports were football, basketball, and baseball, and he loved to golf and attend his grandchildren’s sporting events. He was famous for his special recipe barbeque pork ribs. Gary enjoyed music and he loved to listen to his son in law, Jonny Walker, play guitar and sing. Gary loved people most of all. Everyone he met, he remembered and loved. Gary touched the lives of so many people. He was the most loving, accepting, non-judgmental, and compassionate man you would ever meet. He only spoke kindly of people, never uttering a negative word about anyone he knew. Gary welcomed everyone and genuinely opened his heart and greeted all with his kind and generous eyes and his bright smile. He glowed with happiness, and he was a world class storyteller. Gary lived his life to the fullest and still made time to volunteer and to care for four of his grandchildren when their family was in crisis, just as he so graciously cared for all the people and animals in his life. Gary joins his parents, Leonard and Luna and brother, Noel, in the ever after. He is survived by his brother, Sam Hicks; sister, Diana Hicks Stewart; daughter, Alie Hicks Tenne; daughter, Molly Hicks Walker; sons in law, Tony Tenne and Jonny Walker; grandchildren: Jack Tenne, Isabella Lee, Elijah Walker, Doc Walker, Emma Walker, and Joseph Tenne; and girlfriend, Sandi Burnett. His passing leaves a great void in our lives and our hearts. We will miss his wonderful laugh, his gentle and patient kindness, his wonderful stories, and his Donald Duck voice. In lieu of flowers, please donate in his name to any of his favorite non-profits, which include SNIP, St. Michael’s Episcopal Cathedral of Boise, Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral of Kansas City, your local National Public Radio station, or your local Humane Society. *Please see "Service Information" tab for service details. *