Bruce Hicks

Bruce A. Hicks, 78, of Mountain Home, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2010, at his home, following an illness.

A celebration of Brucešs life will be held at noon on Thursday, Aug. 19, at the Elkšs Lodge in Mountain Home. A private family graveside service will be held prior at Mountain View Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.

Bruce was born on Feb. 10, 1932, in Wendell, the son of Earl D. and Alice E. (Fletcher) Hicks. His early childhood was spent in Bruneau, Rio Tinto, Nev., and the Riddle, Idaho, areas. His family moved to Mountain Home in 1942 and he graduated from Mountain Home High School in 1949.

Bruce attended Boise Junior College for one year, prior to enlisting in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict in 1950. After being honorably discharged as a staff sergeant in 1954, Bruce returned to college and earned a Bachelor of Science from Idaho State University in Pocatello in 1957.

Bruce also earned a Masters of Administration from University of Idaho, in Moscow, in 1960.

Bruce met Ralene in July of 1953 and they were married in Glenns Ferry on March 11, 1954. Together they had four children, Pamela (Elmore Medical Center's first child born at that facility), Terry, Kent and Cary.

Bruce was active in many community activities, including Boy Scouts (for which he received the Silver Beaver Award for his service) and the Camp Wilson Camporee and BBQ. He was elected to two terms to the Mountain Home City Council and was appointed twice to the council to fill vacancies.

He was a member of the Elk's Lodge B.P.O.E. #2276, American Legion, the Masonic Lodge and the El Korah Shrine. Bruce was a member of the El Korah Shrine's Tin Lizzie Patrol for a number of years.

Bruce taught in Mountain Home for three years before going into the insurance business. He retired from the insurance business in 1998. Upon his retirement, Bruce and Ralene spent their summers at their home in Featherville. Retirement allowed them more time to enjoy their grandchildren and participate with them in their activities.

Bruce is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ralene, his children, daughter Pamela Groves, son Terry and his wife, Judy Hicks, son Kent and his wife, Fran Hicks, son Cary and his wife, Melissa Hicks, his grandchildren, Makenzie Groves, Trevor Hicks, Tyler Hicks and Erin Hicks, and his brother, Robin, and his wife ,Cheryl Hicks.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Lauren and granddaughter Sydney.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Bruce's memory be made to: The Shrineršs Hospital for Crippled Children, Fairfax at Virginia Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84103, or the Elkšs Lodge B.P.O.E. #2276, 325 S. 3rd West St., Mountain Home, ID 83647, or to a charity of choice.

The family would like to thank Dr. Koelsch, Linda Shaw and their staff and the staff of Hearts for Hospice especially Rachael and Susan for the care of our father and our family.