Ardis L. Vickers, Ii

Obituary: Ardis L. Vickers, Jr., age 84, passed away on Thursday, September 25, 2014 at Avante of Concord Nursing Center after three years of declining health. He was born September 9, 1930, in Cabarrus County, NC, the son of the late A.L. Vickers, Sr. and Mary Pearl Orr Vickers. A.L. was a graduate of J.W. Cannon High School, class of 1948. After graduation, A.L. joined the U.S. Army. During the Korean Conflict from 1951 to 1953, he was a part of the Corps of Engineers spending most of his time at Camp Okubo, Japan. A.L. was employed as a machinist with Ronson Hydraulics, Charlotte, NC where he worked from 1956 to 1981. Later, he worked for the former Phillip-Morris, Inc. in Concord, NC from 1981 until his retirement in 1996. A.L. was a very active member at Trinity United Methodist Church, Kannapolis, NC where he had sung in the choir for most of his life. He was known for singing at many weddings and funerals. Singing was part of his life. He sang with the K-Towners, Piedmont Singing Men, and other local groups. A.L. was a member of the Royal Oaks Optimist Club where he had also served as president. His family fondly remembers his love of gardening and spending quality time at his second home, at Lake Norman, boating and skiing. Finally, he and his wife had a special love for animals especially German Shepherds and Poodles. In addition to his parents, A.L. was preceded in death by his first wife, Dolores McClellan Vickers; and his sister, Adderine Vickers. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Kannapolis, NC officiated by Rev. Kirk Tutterow and Rev. Nancy Lowery . Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park, Kannapolis, NC. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Monday, September 29, 2014 at Whitley's Funeral Home. The family will be at the residence the remainder of the time. The family would like to thank the staff of Avante of Concord Nursing Center for the love and care shown to A.L. during his illness. Survivors include his 2nd wife, Elsie Miller Vickers; his son, Ardis L. Vickers, III & wife, Michelle of Locust, NC; one grandson, Evan Vickers; one sister, Ann Goodman of Concord, NC. Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 416 E. First Street, Kannapolis, NC 28083 or Humane Society of Concord & Cabarrus County, 2010 Wilshire Ct. SW, Concord, NC 28025 or the Alzheimer's Association, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215-3220. On-line condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com who is serving the family.
Visitation: 6:00pm - 8:00pm Monday September 29, 2014 Whitley's Funeral Home

Service: 11:00am Tuesday September 30, 2014 Trinity United Methodist Church

Interment: Carolina Memorial Park