CLARK NV Archives Obituaries.....[HICKS, Marion B. - 9/10/1961]
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Gerry Perry missgerry@cox.net [12/31/2005]

Las Vegas Review Journal 9/11/1961
  
M. B. HICKS, THUNDERBIRD FOUNDER DIES [picture]

The long reign of Marion B. Hicks as one of the kings of Las Vegas' 
hotel and casino builders and owners ended Sunday in La Jola, Calif., 
with his death after a two-year battle with cancer.  He was 57.

Hicks was owner of 72 per cent of the Thunderbird Hotel, one of the 
largest single holdings in the state, and the Algiers Hotel, an 
ultra-exclusive, 110-room hotel next door.

Friends, who were stunned by the pioneer gambling figure's death 
despite his long illness, said Hicks will always be remembered for 
his love of building.

In addition to the Thunderbird and Algiers, he also built the El Cortez 
Hotel at 6th and Fremont Sts., which was later sold.  From 1958 to 
1959 he leased and operated the Silver Palace.

PRIOR TO COMING to Las Vegas in 1939, Hicks was a resident of 
Southern California where he owned and operated a successful car 
dealership and a general contracting firm.  He was born in Joplin, 
Missouri April 13, 1904.

He built the El Cortez in 1941, the year Thomas Hull, founder of the 
strip, built the El Rancho Vegas.  Hicks followed the Last Frontier 
and Flamingo hotels, opening the Thunderbird in 1948.

Jack Walsh, general manager of the Thunderbird, said Hicks "called" 
the shots up to the last day and seemed confident in the end," Walsh said.

The general manager said Hicks had no premonition of death and was 
planning a deep sea fishing cruise.  "That was his favorite sport," Walsh recalled.

HOWEVER, at the end of last week, Hicks' worsening condition forced 
him to abandon the fishing resort and return to Scripps Clinic in La Jolla.

At his bedisde when death came was his wife, Lillian.

In earlier years, Hicks was a behind the scenes force in the Democratic 
party and was a strong supporter of the Late Sen. Pat McCarran.  His 
long-time partner in the Thunderbird casino, Clifford Jones, was 
Lt. Governor of Nevada from 1946 to 1954.  His name was mentioned 
frequently in news stories in 1954 during the gubernatorial campaign 
between democrat Vail Pittman and Republican Charles Russell.

NEGOTIATIONS to lease the Thunderbird Hotel and casino earlier this 
year were halted after Hicks changed his mind and decided to retain control.  
In July he named the First National Bank of Nevada as trustee of his properties.

Funderal arrangements for Hicks, who resided at 1040 South 6th St. will be 
made by Palm Mortuary in Las Vegas.  Details are still pending, a spokesman said Monday.

Besides his wife, Hicks is survived by [omitted]