By Guy Coates

Taylor T. Hicks, Sr. graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in dentistry in the spring of 1933 and by September he had returned to Prescott, his hometown, to open his dental practice. A few months later he married his longtime sweetheart, Frances Lodge.

It didn’t take long for this super-achiever to become immersed in community service. By 1938, Taylor was elected president of the Prescott Kiwanis Club. He also served as superintendent of the Episcopal Church Sunday School and was a director of the board of the Prescott Chamber of Commerce.

On January 1, 1941 Taylor began his 20-year service on the Prescott School Board and during that time he helped form the Arizona School Board Association, serving two terms as its president. He was also elected president of the Arizona State Dental Society in 1944.

In 1950, he served two years on the Board of Directors of the National School Boards Association and then, in 1955, was elected its president, presiding at their meeting in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It was at this meeting that he introduced the honored guest, Cecil B. DeMille, who was highly commended for his contributions to youth education through the movie industry.

Taylor served as scout master and explorer advisor for the Boy Scouts of America for several years and, in 1953, he received the "Silver Beaver Award," the highest scout leader award, for his many years of effort promoting scouting. In 1958, he served as president of the Grand Canyon Council of Boy Scouts.

Although Taylor was voted Prescott’s "Man of the Year" in 1959, his most distinguished honor came in 1962 when the Prescott School Board named a new school after him, "The Taylor Hicks Elementary School." His report cards and some of his many awards received while attending Prescott schools hang proudly on display near a painting of him just inside the school entrance, serving as an inspiration for today’s students.

Governor Paul Fannin appointed him to the State Junior College Board in 1961 and in 1966 he served as chairman of the Prescott College Progress Drive which raised the initial one million dollars to open its first charter class. During this time he led a spirited fight to bring Yavapai College to Prescott. His efforts were rewarded when the college opened its doors in 1967.

Taylor was elected mayor of Prescott in 1971. Under his administration the new public library was begun and groundwork was laid for a public ordinance to protect historically and architecturally significant buildings in Prescott. A highlight to his term as mayor occurred when the movie, "Junior Bonner" with Steve McQueen, was filmed in Prescott. Dr. and Mrs. Hicks sponsored a gala party for the cast and crew at the completion of the film and later attended the film’s opening in Hollywood.

Dr. Hicks also served on the board of directors of the Arizona Historical Society and was its president 1978-79. His last public appearance took place in March, 1988 when he was invited to speak at Sharlot Hall Museum about Prescott’s "early days. He recited cowboy poetry and sang one of Gail Gardner’s original cowboy songs. The audience was delighted when he recalled the town’s long-gone Chinatown where he worked as a produce delivery boy for his father. He recalled walking to school during 40 consecutive days of rain. He reminisced about his happy days sipping ice cream sodas with his friends at Prescott’s original teen hangout, the Owl Drug Store on the northwest corner of Montezuma and Gurley Streets.

Dr. Hicks died just three months later, at age 79 at his home on June 26, 1988. A man of high moral character, he encouraged people to live a commendable life by often writing notes complimenting them on their various activities and achievements. He is remembered for his quiet, but forceful demeanor and ready smile, his numerous and unselfish civic endeavors, and especially for his dedication to the education of youth. He believed any challenge could be met and any goal achieved. His two sons and two grandsons have followed in his footsteps in dentistry. He undoubtedly was a great influence in their lives.

(Guy Coates is a researcher and writer of many historical accounts, both in Truckee, CA and Prescott.)

Sharlot Hall Museum Photograph Call Number:(photo courtesy of the Hicks family) Reuse only by permission.

Taylor T. Hicks, Sr., shown here in his freshman year at the University of Arizona, Tucson, in 1928.