Maurice Leighton Vickery, age 90, died Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at his home in Hartwell.
He was born July 7, 1926 in the Vickery home on North Forest Avenue, and he and his family resided next door his entire life. He was the son of Nina Massey Vickery and Isham Parker Vickery who are deceased.
He was a 1943 graduate of Hartwell High School, attended Clemson College, and joined the US Navy during World War II serving aboard the USS Atlanta in the Pacific Theatre from 1943-1946. Following the war, he joined his father in the family business, Vickery Hardware on the Square, and as a volunteer with the City of Hartwell Fire Department, two major firms that proved to work well together.Within a few months he was asked to serve as chief and carried the department from a makeshift service to a viable department that received its first ISO rating. During the 43 years of service he led the department to an enlarged brigade with full-time fighters and established the department's first quarters. He gave many lectures and taught courses to classes and groups to stress safety measures.
He helped organize and found the Hartwell Lions Club, a service organization that earned state and national recognition, and he also served on the Hartwell Housing Authority, several years as chairman.
He was a lifetime member of First Baptist Hartwell, serving in numerous capacities throughout his 90 years including as ordained deacon. An amateur artist, his work is found in many homes and businesses today. His artistic skill was noted at his hardware store when he built frames and used colored garden seed to create outstanding designs. One of the most significant was the United States Flag. He penned The Littlest Hobo, a logo for the TMR School, and then expanded it to express greetings/condolences to fit any occasion.
He is survived by his wife, Juanelle (Wassie) Kesler Vickery, a son, Terry Kesler Vickery and his wife Peggy, a daughter, Laurie Vickery Childs and her husband Terry; four grandchildren – Leigh Childs Phillips and husband Chad, Brad Childs, Major John Vickery and wife Jennifer, Sgt. Ty Vickery and wife Courtney; Six great-grandchildren – Katie Phillips, MaCaylee and Camryn Childs, Parker and Aubrey Vickery, and Violet Vickery.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Kenneth N. and Herbert M. Vickery.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held Saturday, April 15 at 2:00 at First Baptist Hartwell with Dr. F. Hugh Kirby, the Rev. Carter Tucker, and Dr. Steve Albanese officiating. A special eulogy will be given by his grandson, John Vickery. A reception will follow the service in fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Hartwell Library Fund, 81 East Howell, Hartwell, GA 30643 or to the charity of one's choice.
The Strickland Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.