Eugene “Gene” W. Hicks
Eugene “Gene” W. Hicks
May 21, 1930 – Oct. 9, 2019
Eugene “Gene” W. Hicks was born May 21, 1930, in Auburn to Charles Robert and Lydia Thelma (Young) Hicks and passed away in Seward on Oct. 9, 2019, at the age of 89 years, 4 months and 18 days. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. He served as a greeter, usher and on the Board of Trustees.
Gene, as a child, lived southeast of Stella until he was 7 years old. The family then moved to Seward, where he graduated from Seward Public Schools with the class of 1948. He enlisted in the Navy in 1948 and served through 1952. In 1949, Gene completed a course of study at NavScol, Electrician’s Mates, NTC in San Diego, California.
On July 25, 1954, he married Phyllis Jean Bartels in Tobias, and to this union two children were born, Shelley and Brian. During their married life they lived in York, Western and Seward, where they owned the Hicks Electrical Contracting business for 34 years, from which he retired in 1995.
After retiring, Gene drove trucks for Hydraulic Equipment Service. He enjoyed his family and friends and loved to travel. What a life, the Lord is good! Gene served on the Seward Cemetery Board for 20 years, Seward Volunteer Fire Department for 25 years, was a member of the American Legion Post 178 in Beaver Crossing and was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 4755 in Seward.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents; beloved wife, Phyllis, after 60 years of a beautiful marriage; beloved son, Brian Hicks; in-laws, Lorenz and Esther Bartels; step-mother, Evelyn; brother, Bob Hicks; sister, Barbara Crook; and great-granddaughter, Gabriella Wood.
Survivors include his daughter, Shelley Saltzman and husband Tony; grandsons, Cory Wood and Casey Wood, all of Seward; great-granddaughters, Peyton and Rowan Wood and Solarra and Saylor Wood; great-grandson, Kingston Hofer; and siblings, Ron and Cinda Hicks of Lincoln and Cheryl and Gary Busch of Arvada, Colorado.
A funeral service was held Oct. 12, 2019, at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, with the Rev. David Rempfer officiating. A graveside service and interment were in the Seward Cemetery, with military honors by Seward VFW Post 4755 and the U.S. Navy. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hicks family for future designation. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.zabkafuneralhome.com.
