Hershel Gene Hicks, Sr.

Hershel, known to his friends and family growing up as "Butch", was a 1970 graduate of Burroughs High School, Ridgecrest, CA. Butch met and married the love of his life Geri Mirafuentes 51 years ago. Together they had two sons, Hershel Jr. and Josh.  The weekends usually consisted of loading up the family and Scanoe to go fishing and camping.  Butch loved the outdoors so much that even in his younger years he would hitch hike to see the great outdoors, sometimes alone and sometimes with his friend Dewey. He had a broad scope of accomplishments such as making unique beautiful picture frames from wood collected while exploring. He even wrote an article on Ballarat which was acknowledged and published in a known author's book.   He was an avid collector and took great pride in displaying his collections in cases.  He also enjoyed fixing things and gardening, he was a true McGyver.  He was usually quiet until he started talking then story time was on.  His wife Geri, moved here from Hawaii when she was in the 8th grade. Butch took pride in his and Geri's heritage as much as she does and they made sure their sons and grandchildren learned about it also.

After 22 years with Shell Oil Company and living in the Bay Area, Butch moved his family back to Ridgecrest.  Picking up where he left off with friends, Norm, Teri,  Jim, Bill, Pete, Tim, Duane, just to name a few, continuing his love of the outdoors.  The greatest love to him was his grandchildren, Ma'ila and Makoa.  He would spend hours working puzzles, teaching them how to make picture frames and enjoying their company. Other pastimes he shared with his grandchildren was boating, fishing, shooting, talking about his collections, all while listening to country music. When it was time for them to go back home he would always say "Don't Forget Me".

The long-lasting impact of Butch's legacy lives on in the tender embrace of cherished memories with his family and friends. He touched many lives with his gentle guidance, warm smiles, and unwavering support.  As we mourn his physical absence, we find peace in knowing his spirit lives on in our hearts and of those he touched.

Butch is preceded in death by Hershel H. Hicks (Father), Nellie Hicks (Mother), and Karyn Hicks Shipley (Sister). He is survived by his, wife Geri Mirafuentes Hicks, son Hershel G. Hicks Jr., son Joshua Hicks (Jen), grandchildren Ma'ila and Makoa, Kathy Hicks Walker (Jim). Nephew Paul Shepherd (Michele), Karyn's children, Lyndsey, Tara, Malissa, Andrea and Micah, and many, many nieces and nephews and his cousins Frank Jones and Susan Jones.