Larry Richard Hicks

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden and tragic passing of Larry Richard Hicks, on May 29, 2024. Revered U.S. District Court Judge, esteemed lawyer, former Washoe County District Attorney, loyal friend and mentor, loving husband, father, and Papa. He was a strong and vibrant 80 years old.

Larry was a giant in Nevada’s legal community. For over 55 years, he was a formidable lawyer and judge who never wavered in his pursuit for justice on behalf of clients, victims of crime, and the great state of Nevada. He was a true gentleman filled with kindness and sincerity who left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of his company. Larry’s greatest thrill and central focus in life was his family, who were second to none in his heart. He was a doting husband of 59 years and adoring patriarch of 3 children and 10 grandchildren. Larry lived his full life as all should, successfully balancing humility with excellence, devotion to family with an unwavering work ethic, and the pursuit of hobbies with great zeal despite limited time allotted to us all. He was truly one of a kind and an exceptional example of how life should be lived.

Born on December 13, 1943, in Evanston, Illinios to Carl and Margaret Hicks, the family moved to Los Angeles when Larry was 2 years old, then moved to his beloved Reno, Nevada in 1957. He attended Billinghurst Middle School and Reno High School. During these formative years, Larry’s lifelong love for Nevada’s amazing outdoors blossomed as he began to develop a deep interest in horsemanship, camping, hunting, and fishing. He often fondly recalled the days where he would ride his horse from his family’s home in southwest Reno deep into the Sierra Nevada Mountains or throughout the city as a teenager. Larry relished in the beauty of Northern Nevada and absorbed all it had to offer.

The first in his family to graduate from college, Larry was a committed student at the University of Nevada, Reno, earning a degree in Business Administration. He was a proud member of the Sigma Nu fraternity, inducted into their Legion of Honor in 2007, and maintained lifetime friendships with fellow members until he passed.

While in college, his life was forever improved when he met Marianne Avansino at a family wedding. They married a year later and, for the next 59 years, their relationship defined love and family. Soon after their wedding, they moved to Colorado where Larry attended law school at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Working for District Attorney Bill Raggio in the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office on summer breaks from law school spurred his passion for public service and the pursuit of justice. He accepted a job there as a Deputy District Attorney after graduating and quickly established himself as a highly effective trial attorney, once successfully trying 11 felony jury trials in 13 weeks, and prosecuting several high-profile murder cases. Larry rose to a leadership role in the office and when then District Attorney Bob Rose left for other pursuits, Larry was appointed to the role. He was retained by the voters in 1974 when he was elected district attorney. Larry cherished working in the DA’s Office and often reflected on it being one of the greatest and most rewarding times of his illustrious career. His immense service to the state of Nevada as a district attorney was recognized in 2011 by the Nevada Advisory Council for Prosecuting Attorneys who presented Larry with the William J. Raggio Award for his role as a past prosecutor and his contributions to the improvement of the administration of justice in Nevada.

In 1979, Larry and his younger brother Bud Hicks joined the prestigious McDonald Carano law firm. Over the next 21 years, he achieved tremendous success practicing law in the firm while heading its Litigation Section and specializing in numerous areas of law. Larry treasured his time at McDonald Carano and his everlasting friendships that were built there.

During his time with McDonald Carano, Larry was elected President of the State Bar of Nevada in 1993 and served on its Board of Governors from 1988 to 1994. He was also a past president and master of the Bruce R. Thompson Chapter of the American Inns of Court in Reno and was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers in 1998. He also served as a delegate to the American Bar Association from 1994 until 2000. In 2020, Larry was honored with the State Bar of Nevada’s Presidential Award which is presented annually to a bar member whose conduct, honesty and integrity represents the highest standards of the legal profession. Award recipients inspire by example, advance the administration of justice and bring honor to the profession.

Larry was nominated by President George W. Bush to the U.S. District Court bench in 2001 and received bipartisan support from Nevada’s U.S. Senators John Ensign and Harry Reid. During his Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing, Senator Reid described Larry as “a lawyer’s lawyer” and “simply one of the best.”

Larry had a preeminent 22-year career on the bench presiding over many notable cases. Litigants appearing in his courtroom trusted his fairness and objectivity and respected his knowledge, integrity, and congeniality. Other judges and court staff greatly benefitted from his mentorship, leadership, and kindness. He became a Senior Judge in 2012 but continued to take a substantial caseload, which greatly assisted the other judges of the court. Larry was entirely devoted to the rule of law and our system of justice.

He loved being a judge and considered it to be a life fulfilling experience. From his first day in the courtroom to his last, he viewed his duty to the court and its participants to be a solemn one. He was a brilliant jurist who personified honesty, wisdom, humility, courtesy, and unimpeachable integrity. Outside the courtroom, He had a deep affection for his “Chambers Family.” Larry regularly spoke of the daily pleasure he enjoyed from working with his outstanding law clerks and court staff.

Beyond his professional life, Larry was an avid outdoorsman. He immersed himself in outdoor activities that our region has to offer, always with friends and family members by his side. Riding horses with Marianne, golfing in Graeagle or with his “Geezer Golf” colleagues, striper fishing on the California Delta, hunting deer and antelope on the “Sheldon,” casting flies for rainbows on 5-dot Reservoir, and hunting ducks at the Canvasback Gun Club with his devoted labrador, are notable examples of the pastimes that defined Larry and enriched his life.

Above all else, Larry’s greatest passion in life was his family. It began with his enduring and limitless love for Marianne, and thus hers for him. They acted as one, sharing in all manners of life and love. He and Marianne were graced that their three children settled in Reno and made their homes within a mile radius of theirs. He was happily involved in all aspects of their lives, and particularly his ten grandchildren. On a daily basis, Larry engaged with any given number of his precious family members. A morning cup of coffee, a lunch, attending a school sporting event, a chat on the back patio, phone call, or a family dinner, were often and prized.

Spending time together as a family was the usual joyful event no matter the place or time. There was always a reason to gather and celebrate, whether it be a special occasion, holiday, an accomplishment, or just because it happened to be a beautiful evening. Dinners together were always worthy of a patented-Papa toast usually accompanied by a noted P.T.A. (Pause To Appreciate) moment.

Larry is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marianne; his brothers Bud Hicks (wife Suzette) and Don Hicks (wife Judy); his three children, Carrie Ortiz (husband Tom), Amy Gilmartin (husband Mark), Christopher Hicks (wife Nicole); his nine grandchildren; Chase, Anabella, Sawyer, Carson, Delaney, Drew, Siena, Olivia, and Lucy. Larry’s first-born grandson, Maison Ortiz, preceded him in death.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Larry’s name to the Maison T Ortiz Youth Outdoor Skills Camp (MTOYOSC). The kids camp is a tribute to Maison who loved Nevada’s outdoors and passed away at the age of 15 in a tragic accident. Checks can be made payable to MTOYOSC with the memo line indicating: In memory of Larry Hicks. Please mail to MTOYOSC, 4790 Caughlin Parkway, #753, Reno, Nevada 89519. Contributions can also be made online at nevadaoutdoorskills.org

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, June 27th at 2:30 p.m. in the Milt Glick Ballroom in the Joe Crowley Student Union on the University of Nevada, Reno campus. Parking will be available in the Brian J. Whalen parking garage.