Charles A. Vickers

Charles Amos Vickers passed away on April 23, 2024, at the age of 102 years and 9 days old. He was born in 1922 to John and Grace Vickers.

Charlie outlived four wives and one girlfriend. He had three children with his third wife.

Charlie lived in many places throughout his time: he was born in Ohio, had a farm in Indiana, lived in Iowa, Oregon, Kansas, and Colorado where he lived in the mountains of Fairplay. He was so popular there that they gave him a proclamation stating that April 30th would be “Charlie Vickers Day.” He loved spending time with his family and protected them all until the very end.

Charlie had a great sense of humor and was very quick witted and frugal. His love for music was very apparent by the way he played his guitar from a very young age. He loved playing and listening to his favorite musician, Chet Atkins. He even provided the entertainment at his own 100th Birthday party by playing the guitar. He also was a great dancer and loved doing the two-step. He always had good stories to tell that would be very funny or interesting.

Charlie loved taking car rides to the lake, just sitting and listening to the waves crash on the shore gave him peace and calmness.

Charlie’s secret to living a long, healthy life was he only ate chicken, fish, turkey, fruits, and vegetables, no sugar, no smoking, no alcohol. That kind of discipline and working out landed him in several workout magazines when he was younger.

Charlie was a navy seaman in World War II, he served on the USS Adams and the USS Benjamin Franklin. He was wounded in battle when the ship was attacked by a Kamikaze pilot. Charlie was also a lifeguard, worked in a stone quarry, and he was a machinist for Alcoa.

Charlie led a very full life and will be sorely missed by all his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Grace Vickers; grandparents, Niel and Millie Vickers, and Alpha and Elijah Mays; son, Charles (Slugger) Vickers; stepchildren, Jimmy and Suzanne; brothers, Vic and Joseph Vickers; sisters Geneva Boston, Dorothy, Helen, Imogene Vickers; brother-in-law Frank Boston; nephew Frankie Boston; nieces, Susie Boston and Sandy Vickers; and great nieces Diedra and Amanda.

He is survived by daughter, Danetta; sons, Randy Vickers and Rick Vickers; sisters, Betty Phillips, JoAnn (Kenny) Rhea, Vikki Lajoie; brother, Danny (Ana) Vickers; nieces, Tonya (Doug) McDonald, Pam Byrd, Terry (Dave) Haines, Dyanne (Mike) Castelli, Tonya (Dave) Logan, and Cathy (Dave) Rediger; nephews, Greg Vickers, Vic Vickers, Mark (Michelle) Vickers, and many great nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will take place at Mankato Christian Church on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Thaddeus Hinkle officiating.

Memorials are requested to the American Cancer Society and may be sent to Melby Mortuary, PO Box 384, Mankato, Kansas, 66956.

Melby Mortuary is assisting Charlie’s family with these arrangements, www.melbymortuary.com