Obituary of Donald Rush Vickers

Donald Rush Vickers, U.S. Army Master Sergeant Retired, age 88,of Detroit,Texas,Died October 28, 2012, at his residence. Mr. Vickers was born May 28, 1924, in Blossom to John L. and Ora Shepperd Vickers. He was preceded in death in 2008, by his wife, Mary Jo Vickers; a sister, Lossie Vickers; and 2 brothers, Onas and Autis Vickers. He served in the U.S. Army for 31 years, twenty six of those years were in combat ready commands. He served in 3 wars; WWII, Korea and two tours in Vietnam. He was a participant in fifteen named campaigns, dozens of unnamed battles, scores of skirmishes and fire fights. At eighteen years old, he earned the Combat Infantry Badge. Through the years he was presented with other awards and medals, such as; The Bronze Star for Valor, the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat and the Army Commendation Medal. His military occupations were Armor, Armored Reconnaissance, Reconnaissance, Military Advisor to the Korean Army and Military Advisor to the Vietnanese Army. He also contributed to the establishment of the reconnaissance school at Ft. Hood and was the Operations Sergeant for the school for several years. In 1976 he retired from the army. He and his wife, Mary Jo moved to Detroit where they excelled at the most important job of all, being grandparents. After moving to Detroit, he also worked for 410 Water Supply. Graveside services are set for 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 31, 2012, at the Bluff Cemetery with Benny Cogburn officiating. Burial will follow under the direction of Clarksville Funeral Home. The family will receive friends Tuesday night from 6 to 8 at Clarksville Funeral Home. Survivors include his sons, John Vickers and wife Earlene of Blossom and Robert Vickers and wife Wilma of Detroit; his daughters, Donna Jo Jackson and husband Richard of Blossom, Sherry Castleman and husband Auther of Paris and Amanda Sturgeon of Blossom; a sister, Bobbie McClendon of Gun Barrel City; his grandchildren, Marty Jennings and husband Chad, Aaron Jackson and wife Heather, Cassidy Fuess and husband Kyle, Lee Ann Hampton and huband Joe, Wyatt Vickers, Jeannie Tucker, John Castleman, April Baird and husband Wesley, Rush Vickers, Toby Dye and friend Amy; 14 great grandchildren; and 3 great-great grandchildren.