Gerald E. Hicks, Sr.

Gerald E. Hicks passed away from this mortal coil on September 29, 2026. He was preceded in death by his love of his life, Sally L. Hicks, who shared 59 years of marriage with him. He is survived by two children, Gerald Jr. and Athena Timiney; as well as by six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Jerry was born in Granite City, IL on July 30,1934. He graduated from Granite City H.S., and then attended Southern Illinois U. in Carbondale for two years. This was interrupted by two years in the U.S. Army with one year spent in Korea. Jerry worked for Coca-Cola St. Louis for four years. In 1958, he was granted an out of state voice scholarship to ASU, and had lived in AZ since. He was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and several honors societies including Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society. He taught at Cortez H.S. for two years where he coached football and baseball. In 1963, he moved to Maryvale H.S. where he taught English and coached football, baseball, golf, and softball. He also coached softball at GCC where he also taught English. He was blessed with a relationship with his second love, Sharon Gruhn, in the final years of his life.

A Visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 PM, Thursday, October 22, 2026, at Regency Mortuary, 9850 W. Thunderbird Boulevard, Sun City, AZ. A Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held from 9:00-9:30 AM, Friday, October 23, 2026, at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 2929 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Phoenix, AZ. Afterwards, a Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, October 23, 2026, at Lakeview United Methodist Church, 10298 W. Thunderbird Boulevard, Sun City, AZ.