Harry Vickers

97, died August 15, 2013. Born February 1, 1916 in Watertown, TN, he was the son of Marvin Haber Vickers and Callie Lee Smithson Vickers. He was a 1935 graduate of Castle Heights Military Academy in Lebanon and attended Cumberland University where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He was married to Mary Neil Thackston for 61 years. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Haber and Howard, and a sister, Wilda Vickers Walker Hare. Mr. Vickers was the co-owner of Birmingham Hide and Tallow Company for over fifty years and a member of St. Mark's United Methodist Church. In 2007 Mr. Vickers was awarded the Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Cumberland University where he had established an endowed scholarship fund and was a long time member of The Caruthers Society and President's Club. In 2009 he received the McCallum Award from the UAB Center for Aging for his distinguished support of geriatric nurses. A long time resident of Heatherwood and most recently lived at Danberry in Inverness, Mr. Vickers was an avid golfer and won many awards in senior division tournaments. He also loved playing bridge, gardening, and recounting stories to his family and friends. Relatives include three children, William Harry and Kay Vickers, Lancaster, NH; Robert and Gwendolyn V. Bottoms, Athens, GA and Janet and Randy Perry, Birmingham. Grandchildren include David and Kim Bottoms, Burlingame, CA, Leslie and Dean Dailey, Athens GA, Bill and Brian Vickers, Manchester, NH; and five great grandchildren, Connor, Tate and Callie Bottoms, Noah Dailey, and Destiny Vickers. Many nieces, nephews and special friends survive also. Visitation is scheduled on Monday, August 19, 2013 from 6 until 8 PM at Currie- Jefferson Funeral Home, 2701 John Hawkins Parkway. Services will be conducted at 11 AM on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, Vestavia. Graveside services will be conducted on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at 2 PM at Sycamore Cemetery in Woodbury TN. The Reverends David Wallace and Don Cross will officiate. In Lieu of flowers the family request that memorials be made to the Harry Vickers Scholarship Fund at Cumberland University, Cumberland Square, Lebanon, TN 37087, St Mark's United Methodist Church , 2901 Columbiana Road 35216, or the Acute Care for Elders Unit at UAB, c/o Virginia Gilbert Loftin, UAB School of Medicine Development Office, 1720 Second Avenue South, FOT 1230, Birmingham AL 35294-3412. The family is grateful to the many caregivers by Right at Home, Kirkwood by the River and to Oasis Hospice.