Obituary

Durwood DeGroat Hicks, 90, passed away on June 10, with his wife June, daughter Leanne and son Greg at his bedside in Leisure World. ‘Woody’ was a man who experienced life to its fullest, filled with a sense of duty and patriotism. His near century of tenure brought him from his birthplace of Madison, Wisconsin to Los Angeles at age 8 after winning a national Jackie Coogan look-a-like competition. With the glitter of Hollywood dimming, he joined the National Guard and was drafted into WWII in 1942. Commissioned as an officer, he served in the South Pacific and later in the Korean War. In peacetime, Woody worked for New York Life, but maintained his sense of military obligation through the Army Reserves, attaining the rank of Lt. Colonel and serving as Adjutant General. After full retirement, and 30 years ago, he moved to Orange County where he met and married June, and transitioned into an era of joining, participation and public service. He was a Mason, a Shriner, a Son of the American Revolution, a member of the Reserve Officer’s Association, not to mention a real swinger on the dance floor, as well as the golf course. Woody is survived by June, his wife of 25 years; daughter, Leanne Lindsay; sons, Greg and Gary Hicks; step-daughters, Judy Riley and Bonny Ward and 8 grandchildren. A husband, father, patriot, and humorist, Woody will be greatly missed.