Obituary of G. Homer Hicks

G. Homer Hicks, 97, of Belvidere, NJ, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at Warren Haven Nursing Home, Mansfield Township, NJ. Born on December 21, 1911 in Saugerties, NY, he was the son of the late William R. and Carolyn Winifred Brown Hicks. The Hicks family moved to Belvidere, NJ in 1922, where Homer attended the Belvidere School system and was a graduate of Belvidere High School, class of 1929. Homer attended Duke University, Durham, NC studying engineering. Homer's work career included owning; Hicks Brothers Ice Business, Hicks Brothers Freight Lines, H & H Liquidating and most importantly, Adventure Unlimited. He sold his Antique and Used Furniture Store on Mansfield Street in 2008. Mr. Hicks had lived in Hope Township, NJ on the family farm until 1995 when he returned to Belvidere. In 2000, he sold the farm property to the State of New Jersey as open space to preserve it for the enjoyment of future generations. Mr. Hicks was a committed outdoorsman and environmentalist involving his entire life in scouting, church and community service. He dedicated his life to fostering an appreciation of the outdoors, natural resources, and scouting ideals in the youth of our area. Homer was a lifelong scouter, joining in Belvidere as soon as he was eligible and became a Tenderfoot Scout in 1924. He was a scouter and leader in the Belvidere Boy Scout Troop, Explorer Post, Jenny Jump District, and George Washington Council, Boy Scouts of America. As an adult he was active in the local scouting movement, and held many different positions on the District and Council level. His hard work, dedication, and sacrifice earned him much respect in the Scouting Community. Mr. Hicks was involved in the establishment of the Scout Home on Race Street in Belvidere in 1943. The Scout Home is one of the few facilities of its kind in the country. He was a long time member of the Belvidere Scout Home Association, which became the Troop's Charter Organization and maintains the Scout Home for all scouting activities. He was also involved in the purchase of the woodlot property on Montana Mountain, which was used for camping by the Troop for decades. Homer has been a member of the Belvidere United Methodist Church since 1927. He was one of the founders of the Belvidere Ambulance Corps in 1945 and has been a lifelong member and supporter. He was the last survivor of the founding members. One of Homer's most important accomplishments, in 1949, he established and was Director of Adventure Unlimited, a Canadian Wilderness Expedition for senior scouts, based at Lac Landron in Quebec, Canada. The two-week trek exposed young men to the challenges of the outdoors and the beauty of the wilderness. He continued to operate Adventure Unlimited for over 25 years. In addition to the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 141; Belvidere Scout Home Association; Belvidere United Methodist Church; and Belvidere Ambulance Corps; Homer's memberships include: Order of the Arrow, Sanhican Lodge, B.S.A.; Warren Lodge #13, F. & A. M.; Belvidere Lodge #58, Knights of Pythias; National Campers and Hikers Association; American Canoe Association; and NJ Farm Forestry and Christmas Tree Growers Association. Homer received many awards, recognitions and citations including in 1948 Silver Beaver Award, George Washington Council, B.S.A.; 1981 and again in 1997 Jenny Jump District, George Washington Council, B.S.A. Dedication and Service Recognition; 1992 Belvidere Lions Club Community Service Award; 1995 Grand Marshall of the Belvidere Ambulance Corps 50th Anniversary Parade; 1995 Belvidere Boat Ramp was dedicated in his honor by the NJ Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife; 2001 Recognized by the Belvidere United Methodist Church for 74 years of membership; 2006 Honored by Warren Lodge #13, F. & A. M. for 60 years of distinguished service as a Master Mason. Homer was predeceased by two brothers, Francis and Robert Hicks. Surviving are a brother, Roger F. Hicks of Saranac Lake, NY; many nephews and nieces. In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested to be made in his memory to Boys Scouts of America, Troop 141, c/o Dennis Caflin 419 Green Lane, Belvidere, NJ 07823 or Belvidere Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 128, Belvidere, NJ 07823. To send a lasting tribute or condolences to the Hicks family, please sign the Online Guestbook below. Click "Sign Guestbook". Read G. Homer Hicks's Obituary and Guestbook on www.macfaddenfuneralhome.com.