John C. Hicks 1948 ~ 2004 

Our reluctant hero, John C. Hicks, started his next mission on November 11, 2004. John lived his life by the Special Forces motto-"to free the oppressed." He spent his entire life helping the people he came in contact with learn and grow.  John was born May 17, 1948, in Butte, MT., to Clifford and Wynn Hicks. Married Carma Hicken Hicks on January 9, 1970 in Heber City, UT. His legacy lives on through his wife, Carma, his daughter Karen, and those who called him Dad, Traci Mathews and Donna Burchfield, their spouses and children. John will also be missed by all those that called him son, brother, uncle, and friend that are to numerous to list. Some of his many accomplishments are: a 32nd Degree Mason; High Priest in the LDS Church; Chairman of Coffey County Kansas American Red Cross and Representative to the International Red Cross for the Loatian people in Kansas. He taught first aid, CPR and advanced first aid for over 25 years for the Red Cross and helped developed their Mountain Rescue Program in Washington State. He created an award winning safety program for two nuclear power plants. He was a proud member of the Hmong community. Member of the Special Forces Association. Served on the Utah Governor's Asian American Advisory Committee for nine years and served as Chair for two plus years, which allowed him get to know the Asian people he loved. He helped develop the West Valley Sister City Program and was instrumental in the creation of the Cultural Celebration Center in West Valley. He worked tirelessly to make people see that we all have the same basic goals and if we work together we can make wonderful things happen.