Brian Douglas Hicks (1948 - 2013)

Brian Douglas Hicks, 64, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013. Funeral: 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Mount Olivet Chapel. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Mount Olivet Funeral Home. Brian was born in Fort Worth. He attended Catholic schools and graduated from University of Texas at Austin. He worked for Travis County for 25 years. Brian was a member of the Bolin AA Group in Austin and the Heights AA group in Fort Worth. He was an active member of the Vespers ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth. He had an avid interest in genealogy. He touched many people's lives through his work and personal relationships. Brian was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Virginia Hicks; and brother, John William. Survivors: Sisters and brothers, Linda Kathleen Boughton and husband, Bob, of Decatur, Teresa Griffin and husband, Roy, of Austin, Kevin Hicks of Fort Worth and Michael Hicks of California; nieces, nephews and their children; many friends; and his good friend, Tom Krueger.

Published in Star-Telegram on February 15, 2013

So...How are We Related?

This is how Tim and Brian thought we were related.

His great great grandparents were Peter McGonigle and Ann Murrin. They lived in Mercer County, Illinois, outside Rock Island in 1880 or so before moving to Colorado. Living with them in 1880 was Peter's brother, Neal McGonigle. Frank McGonigle's obituary says he had a brother living in Rock Island but no name indicated in his obit. The only McGonigle his general age group and born in Ireland in Rock Island area was Neal McGonigle from 1900 forward. So we thought Peter, Neal and Frank were all brothers. Brian's great grandparents were James O'Brien and Mary Ann McGonigle. James O'Brien's family, incidentally, lived right next door to a William McGonigle's family in Belvidere. They all lived in the Irish Patch. Very likely young James got smitten with Mary Ann while Peter and his family were visiting relatives in the Patch, or at least that is what we think.

Miscellaneous Photographs from FACEBOOK

These photos were published on Facebook and give us a little hint about Brian's life. He was well liked, and many commented about the stories he loved to tell. He was very interested in genealogy, and is how Tim and Brian first got together.

Brian with his god-daughter Madeleine.

Brian's sister (middle) with her grandchildren.

Frank and Ruth O'Brien. These were Brian's grandparents. 1920s.

Brian posted this in Facebook. He found it humorous given his Irish and English heritage.

Brian (center) with his nephew Shane and Hunter.

2011 photo with his family.