Maurice Elmo Fricks, age 87, entered his heavenly home on Thursday night, November 20, 2025, after battling gastric esophageal carcinoma and multiple myeloma. He was a loving husband, father, and best granddaddy. He was of the Baptist faith and was baptized at the age of 11 in Town Creek, Fyffe, Alabama. He retired from Goodyear in January of 2001 after 40 years of service. He also worked at Etowah Marble & Granite on Ewins Avenue.

His hobbies included spending time at the lake with his family, fishing, traveling in the RV with his beloved wife, watching westerns, Braves games, Alabama football, and playing on his tablet. He especially enjoyed having breakfast at Jack's with his best friend, Don Whisenant.

Funeral service will be held at Crestwood Funeral Home with Brother Gary Baswell officiating on November 23, 2025. Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. until service time. The service will begin at 1:30 p.m.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Luny Fricks and Bernice Fricks Gidley; his wife of 62 years, Sarah Long Fricks; sister, Karen Means; granddaughter, Meredith Moore; and his mother- and father-in-law, Ernest and Hazel Long.

He is survived by his three children and their families Daughter and son-in-law, Patsy and Ray Moore, Son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Sheila Fricks, Daughter and son-in-law, Kayla and Alan Scott

Grandchildren: Justin (Destany) Clark, Dane (Anna) Moore, Ryan (Spenser) Moore, Kristopher Fricks, and Tasha (Harrison) Romano.

He is also survived by his sisters, Debbie (Ed) White, Donna (Kevin) Cox, Judy (Terry) Cleghorn; brother, Mark (Tammy) Gidley; brother-in-law, Larry Means; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

The family would like to thank Amedisys Home Health—the physical therapists and nurses who kept him mobile and cared for him—and Amedisys Hospice Care, whose staff provided such compassionate care in his final 24 hours. We appreciate all of you.

Special thanks to Dr. Jason Ayers, Dr. Amin, Dr. Lee and Scotty, Dr. Ravi, Dr. Outlaw, Dr. Prime at Kirkland Clinic, and all doctors, nurses, and staff on UAB's 7th-floor Hematology and Oncology Department for the excellent care they provided during his stay.

The family requests no flowers. Instead, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of his granddaughter, Meredith, or toys may be donated to the Children's Hospital of Birmingham Sugar Plum Shop.