George Ricks

George Ira Ricks
George Ira Ricks of American Fork, Utah, passed away on Sunday, September 10th at age 66, after a courageous battle with cancer.

George was born on February 21, 1951, to Donna Irene Thornton and Dale Harold Ricks in American Fork, Utah. He spent his childhood learning the values of hard work and responsibility. George often reminisced about pleasant afternoons with his favorite dog, Sam, ice-skating on a homemade rink, and getting into mischief. George attended elementary school in Orem and later became an American Fork Caveman. He was a letterman on the American Fork track team, which led to a life-long passion for distance running. He served an LDS mission in Munich, Germany and then attended Brigham Young University, where he met Sharlene Ellison. They married on November 23rd, 1974.

George received his bachelor's degree in Psychology from BYU and his master's degree in social work from the so-called "real" university, the University of Utah. George loved his Utes! He had a love for serving others and for encouraging them when they were down. He worked for Wasatch Mental Health and later at the Utah State prison, both as a social worker and as an administrator. George also took great pride as a coach for the American Fork High School cross-country team. He loved working with the runners and valued the potential of each athlete.

George loved his family. He was very taken with each of his children and grandchildren and loved sharing treasures with them. He was a passionate collector and enjoyed coins, antiques, and tokens. He worked in coin shops across Utah, sharing his extensive knowledge with other collectors. George also loved hunting and fishing and went on many excursions with his family and his best buddy, Lyle Nelson.

George is survived by his loving wife, Sharlene, his children Jacob (Emily) Ricks, Shelley (Chad) Radmall, Natalie (Brian) Smith, Lindsay (Paul) Sampson, and Jeffrey Ricks, and 15 grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings: Vanae Lin, Ken Lowe, Sharleen Clemens, Jeanne Thomson, Ben Lowe, Dennis Lowe, Denise Judd, Daniel Lowe, Danielle Judd, Jerry Ricks, Harold Goode, Martha Manning, and Tomas Goode. He is preceded in death by his mother, Donna Goode, his father, Dale Ricks, his step-fathers, Ivan Lowe and Stan Goode, and his step-mother, Miriam Ricks, as well as siblings Tommy Ricks, Kay Hayden, and Robert Goode.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 16th at 11:30 a.m. at the American Fork Hillcrest Stake Center at 165 North 350 West, American Fork, Utah. Family and friends may call Friday, September 15th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Anderson and Sons Mortuary, 49 East 100 North, American Fork or from 9:45-11:15 a.m. at the chapel prior to the funeral services. Internment will take place following funeral services at the American Fork City Cemetery.