Russell Earl “Russ” Hicks, 84 years of age, of Lincoln, formerly of Beatrice, passed away Monday morning, June 16, 2025. He was born in Auburn, NE on September 25, 1940, to Earl Irvin and Lucille Marie (Russell) Hicks. Russ lived his youthful life on the family farm 4 miles north of Stella, NE. He attended both elementary and secondary schools in Stella, graduating in 1959. He worked for a number of the area farmers as needed in the hay fields. Russ drove his dad’s commercial truck while his dad did the farming. He then attended Peru State College where he received his bachelor’s degree in education in May of 1963. On July 28, 1963, Russ married Kay Joan Pearson. They had been lifelong friends and schoolmates in Stella.

After college, Russ was involved in the field of secondary education; 4 years as a teacher/coach, 27 years as a secondary principal, and 10 years as a superintendent. During his 41 years as a full-time educator, he served 4 school systems: Waco Public Schools, District OR-1 at Palmyra and Bennet, Tri County Public Schools, and Johnson-Brock Public Schools. He received his master’s degree in 1974 and his specialist degree in 1981, both from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln.

Russ was a basketball official for 25 years, retiring in 1986. He also was a football official for nearly 15 years. He was well known among Nebraska educators. After serving as president of the Nebraska State Association of Secondary Principals in 1984, he was president of the Nebraska Council of School Administrators in 1985. In 1985 the U.S. Office of Education named the Tri-County Secondary School as one of the best 200 schools in America. In 1986, Russ received the Administrator Distinguished Service Award from the Nebraska Counselor’s Association as well as named as the Secondary Principal of the Year in Nebraska. In 1988, Russ received the Administrator of the Year Award from the Nebraska State Bandmasters (the first time that this was presented). He also received the Distinguished Service Award from the Nebraska Council of School Principals. In 1989, Russ received the Distinguished Service Award from the Nebraska Association of Secondary School Principals. In 2003, he was named the Outstanding Administrator by the Nebraska Rural Community School Association.

In 2017, Russ was awarded a Lifetime pass for the MUDECAS Association for his involvement in the MUDECAS Tournament for over 50 years, in various capacities. Since retiring in 2004, Russ continued to be involved in education by substitute teaching, supervising student teachers, and teaching drivers education during the summers. His proudest moments during retirement was attending events of his grandchildren and celebrating their successes.

Russ would admit that none of these awards would be possible if not for the great students, dedicated school personnel, loyal community support, and his understanding family.

Russ was an active member of the Centenary United Methodist Church in Beatrice where he had served on the Scholarship and Church Finance Committees.

Survivors include his wife Kay from Lincoln; daughter Jill (Joe Osterhaus) Hicks of Lincoln; son David (Jodi) Hicks of DeWitt; 2 grandchildren Maci (Michael) Poland and Carson (Julia Graff) Hicks; great grandson Myer Poland; sister Mary Lu (Jack McVicker) McCoy of Omaha; sister in law Joy Pearson of Henning, MN; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.

There will be a public visitation from noon-5:00 PM on Thursday at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice with the family greeting friends from 5:30-7:30 PM Thursday at the Centenary United Methodist Church in Beatrice. A family prayer service will be held at 10:45 AM Friday at the Centenary United Methodist Church followed by his Celebration of Life Service at 11:00 AM. Family burial service will take place at a later date at the Oak Grove Cemetery in DeWitt. A memorial has been established to the Diller-Odell, Johnson-Brock, and Palmyra-Bennet School Foundations, and the Tri-County FFA program with the funeral home in charge.

We invite all those who know Russ Hicks to join us in commemorating his life. As we gather to remember Russ, we encourage you to share your favorite memories, upload photos of him, or watch his video tribute on his memorial page at www.ghchapel.com.

 These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.