Alton Lick

Alton “Al” Lick, 81, of Bismarck, ND, died March 8, 2024, at Sanford Health in Bismarck, surrounded by family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30AM on Friday, March 15, at Ascension Catholic Church, 1825 S 3rd St, Bismarck. 

Visitation will be held from 5:00-6:00PM with a prayer/vigil service starting at 6:00PM, Thursday, March 14 at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E Divide Ave., Bismarck.

Al Lick was born November 30, 1942, in Underwood, ND, to Alvin and Inez (Oldervik) Lick. He lived in Bismarck nearly all his life, graduating from Bismarck High School in 1961. Al married his high school sweetheart, Angie Stein; they celebrated their 62nd anniversary in January. Al and Angie had two sons, Brent and Brad. 

Al received a degree in Education from Dickinson State College and began his teaching career in Bismarck. He transitioned to state government and served as director of the Juvenile Services Division, ND Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for many years. After retiring, Al and Angie spent 11 winters in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Al also became a coach for Performance-based Standards, reviewing juvenile justice facilities in the Midwest. Al believed you never give up on a kid and he worked tirelessly to improve the juvenile corrections system. 

With his big heart, Al led his family with love. After his son Brent passed away, Al served as a father figure to Brent’s children Andrew and Amy, guiding them and encouraging them. Granddaughter Amy said, “He always showed up for us.” Al shared a special bond with his son Brad, his favorite golf partner. Family meant everything to Al and each new family member was welcomed with open arms. His faith was important to him and he continued to volunteer as an usher at church.

Al was an eager learner, a natural leader and a lifelong teacher who enthusiastically shared his knowledge and passion with others. He excelled at sports throughout his life and made many lifelong friends playing and officiating. After a successful high school athletic career, Al played basketball for the Bismarck Junior College Mystics and then at Dickinson State College, where he was a member of the 1964-1965 Hall of Fame team. Al continued to compete in basketball at the amateur level for years and was inducted into the ND Amateur Basketball Hall of Fame. Al was also a well-respected official and is a member of the ND Officials Hall of Fame for his 20-plus years officiating basketball and football. In recent years, he ran the family March Madness pool with great joy. He is no doubt watching college basketball from above.

Al had a passion for golf and was looking forward to getting back on the Hawktree links again this summer. He spent hours on the driving range, working on perfecting his swing. He had a knack for helping others improve their game as well.
Anyone who knew Al knew how seriously he took working out and his daily visits to the YMCA. He prioritized his health and worked hard at staying fit, which recently allowed him to enjoy time with his great grandsons at the playground and the swimming pool!

Al is survived by his wife Angie; son, Brad and his wife Dorothy; grandson, Andrew and his wife Christine and their son Louis; and granddaughter, Amy and her husband, Isaac Jacobs and their children, Brent and Henry. He was a blessing and will be missed by many.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Brent; and his sister Bonnie. 
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Missouri Valley Family YMCA or Central Dakota Humane Society.