Charles Vickers

Charles Amos Vickers died 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 in the Colorado mountains at Fairplay. He was so popular there that they gave him a proclamation stating April 30 would be "Charlie Vickers Day." He enjoyed his time with his family and protected them all until the very end.

Charlie had a great sense of humor and was quick witted and frugal. His love for music was apparent by the way he played his guitar from a young age. He enjoyed 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 liked doing the two-step. He had good stories to tell that would be funny or interesting.

Charlie liked taking car rides to the lake. 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 a machinist for Alcoa.

Charlie led a 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 and 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.

His funeral will take place at Mankato Christian Church at 11 a.m., today (Thursday) May 2, 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, http://www.melbymortuary.com