Richard and Genevieve Fricks

Richard and Genevieve Fricks

Richard Park Fricks Jr. and Genevieve Bartlett Fricks, of St. Simons Island, died peacefully in their home, March 7 and Oct. 20, respectively. A marriage between devoted soulmates, their obituary mirrors their lives -- unique, creative and intertwined together forever.

Richard was born in Rising Fawn to Richard Park Fricks Sr. and Belva Chapman Fricks on May 15, 1945. Genevieve "Jenny" Bartlett Fricks was born in New York City to Aurelius Twombly Bartlett and Elizabeth Endress Bartlett on Nov. 11, 1943.

Richard was a graduate of the University of Tennessee (Chattanooga) - BS, and Vanderbilt University (Peabody College) - MS, PhD. Jenny was a graduate of Hathaway Brown, Bronxville High School, Connecticut College ­- BA and Columbia University - MA. They were lifelong learners and teachers, both earning advanced degrees in education, and sharing a passion for fostering, nurturing and inspiring people.

They met during a graduate teaching conference, and as the story goes, "both did a double-take, and the rest is history." They married Oct. 14, 1972, in Jenny's hometown of Bronxville, New York, and lived together in Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, Nashville, and St. Simons Island.

They taught together in the Lookout Mountain/Lafayette area, the University School of Nashville, and multiple Metro-Nashville Public Schools.

Their son Alexander Bartlett Fricks was born in 1984, while living in Nashville. They later moved to St. Simons Island in 1997.

Richard was a published author, poet, sculptor and artist. Jenny wrote, produced and starred in educational TV for PBS (WDCN), and continued to teach in Glynn County Schools, following their move from Nashville to St. Simons. Jenny and Richard were as kind and generous as they were dynamic and creative.

Like her mother, Jenny was an avid bridge player. She was a member of the St. Simons Bridge Club, The Daughters of the Cincinnati and the Junior League.

Richard was brother to Mary Katherine "Kackie" Fricks and uncle to Jeffrey Eugene Davis (Mary Emma Davis); and Jenny was sister to Abby Wright Bartlett, Elizabeth Bartlett McGinnis and Thomas Carl Bartlett.

They are survived by their son, Alex Fricks (Doug Adams); sister, Elizabeth (Ted Muhs); brother, Tom (Li Liu Bartlett); niece, Victoria Liu Bartlett; and very dear extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please share any memories, photos and stories to celebrate their lives.

Family-placed obituary

The Brunswick News, November 20, 2025