George Hicks

George Hicks, of Boise and Mountain Home, Idaho, died of cancer on November 10, 2025, after a week of goodbyes and good stories with his loving family and friends – the hallmarks of his inspirational life and death. Services will be held on Wednesday, November 19th at the Risen Christ Catholic Church at 11511 West Lake Hazel Road, Boise. Rosary will take place at 11:15 a.m. Memorial Mass will be held at 12:00 p.m.

George grew up in Mountain Home, the son of Francis H. Hicks, a respected attorney, and Barbara J. Hicks, a politically active mother. With five siblings, close in age, George’s childhood home had a happy chaos, balanced by strong faith, wry humor, and a deep sense of service to others. After graduating from Mountain Home High School in 1972, he attended the University of Idaho, hoping to be an attorney like his father. In 1975, while at U of I, George married his high school sweetheart, Patti Park. In 1980 George graduated with a Juris Doctor from U of I, was admitted to the bar, and experienced pure delight with the birth of their daughter, Emily. He then fulfilled a lifelong dream by returning to Mountain Home to practice law with his father, Francis. In 1983 another hope was realized with the birth of their second daughter, Kaitlyn. George had found his ultimate purpose: To be a loving and devoted father, while also serving justice through his career in law.

In 1987 George moved to Boise to be Deputy City Attorney after he and Patti divorced. During this time, he met and fell in love with Mary Ann Sestero, whom he married in 1989. George and Mary Ann shared many interests, true respect, a deep enduring faith in God and in one another. Mary Ann would be a full partner in the joy, adversity and personal growth that was the remainder of George’s life. She also brought her two young sons, Paul and Thomas, into George’s orbit, and that expanded George’s paternal purpose. As stated by Mary Ann’s son Thomas Smith, “George was everything I aspire to be as a human, as a spouse, and as a dad. It is impossible to put into words the impact that man had on me. He volunteered to be our coach at a time when we thought we didn’t want him, he kept pushing but never tried to replace. As time went on, he became a sound voice during troubled times. I was fortunate to spend days of fruitless hunting trips where we only talked about our lives and the future of the universe.” His daughter Kaitlyn will always remember how often he expressed how proud he was of all his children and grandchildren, and the love, support, and wisdom he shared with them and their families and so many others.

George’s career in law brought many achievements. During his tenure as Deputy City Attorney, he helped Boise with the purchase of over seven hundred acres of park land. For five years, he was in private practice with his good friends Sam Hoagland and Tom Dominick. Then, in 2006 he became Elmore County’s Magistrate Judge. One of his proudest accomplishments was leading the creation of Elmore County’s Drug and DUI Court Program. As George stated at the time, it was “designed to provide more intensive treatment and supervision of individuals who find themselves on the wrong side of the law because of some kind of addiction or mental health issue.” George reflected, “During my tenure as a judge, we had over eighty participants. To the best of my knowledge, over fifty graduated successfully. Observing individuals, who might otherwise be in prison, grow and develop into solid citizens is one of the reasons being a Drug and DUI judge was the hardest job I ever loved.”

While attending the University of Idaho George served on the ASUI Senate at which time a barrel-arched roof was added to the Kibbie Dome and the stadium re-opened as an enclosed facility in September 1975.

George also served as Chairperson of the Idaho Real Estate Section of the Idaho State Bar Association at which time the form book was published.

George was a devout Catholic and helped the church throughout his life, serving on Church Councils, as a Eucharistic Minister and Liturgical Minister. His faith, his love of reading and music (especially playing the harmonica), his experiences in nature, camping, fishing and hunting, his thrill for a challenging game of golf with Mary Ann and their friends, his laughter, music and memories with his siblings, and, most importantly, his unwavering love for his daughters, sons and grandchildren allowed him to leave his body with great peace and reconciliation, ready to meet his God.

During the past couple of years, he very much enjoyed his involvement in Idaho2Fly where he found tremendous camaraderie and comfort.

The day before he passed, George left us with this “Fistful of Advice”: 1) Abide in Love; 2) Always be Kind; 3) Practice Humility; 4) Practice Gratitude; and 5) Seek Wisdom.

George is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; Children, Emily Ober-Hicks (Sarah), Kaitlyn Ritchie (Blake), Paul Smith (Annie), Thomas Smith (Naiara); Grandchildren, Parker and Leighla Ritchie, Jackson and Lucas Smith, Oihana Smith; Siblings, Susie Hicks, Jim Hicks (Natalie), Libby Dohoney (Chic), Tom Hicks, and Ed Lang (cousin, more like a brother).

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the St. Vincent DePaul Foodbank or the Jimmy Valvono Cancer Research Foundation in George’s memory.