Gerald Hicks

Gerald Lawrence Hicks was born December 4, 1918, to William and Edith (Mitchell) Hicks in Willow Township, west of Dunlap. Gerald attended country school #7 until the 8th grade. He then helped his parent's farm for a few years. On May 5, 1941, Gerald moving to Buffalo, New York and was employed with the Curtis Wright Corporation and worked on airplanes until October 1942. He then enlisted in the Army Air Corps. After his training was complete Gerald was an airplane traffic controller for three years. Gerald was honorably discharged on February 14, 1946. He then returned home and started farming. Gerald married Ruth Bolte in 1948 at the United Methodist Church in Omaha, Nebraska. To this union one son was born, Larry. The couple bought a farm north of Dunlap and continued to farm. Gerald ran a corn sheller and a trucking business. Gerald and Ruth lived in various places around Dunlap before moving into Dunlap in 1962. Ruth died in 1985.

Gerald was a member of United Methodist Church in Dunlap. He enjoyed gardening and dancing but most of all he loved to visit.

Gerald died on Friday, August 29, 2014, at the Dunlap Nursing and Rehab Center in Dunlap, Iowa at the age of 95 years, eight months, and 25 days.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ruth; son, Larry on January 21, 2001; his long time companion, Helen Moser; brother, Orville Hicks; sister, Myrle and her husband Martin Nielsen. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Ila Hicks of Dunlap, IA; nieces and nephews, Susan Nielsen of Storm Lake, IA, Linda (John) Frederick of Rolla, MO, Nancy (Rollin) Hunsicker of Lake Geneva, WI, Rita (Mike) Stolz of Missouri Valley, IA, and William (Gail) Hicks of Dunlap, IA; cousin, Jack Reed of Ashippun, WI; special friends, Susie and Gene Johnston of Council Bluffs, IA; and many other relatives and friends.