Mr. Roger Dale Vickery

Roger Dale Vickery, 72, of Sylvester, Georgia, passed through the gates of heaven the morning of January 31, 2024. Roger was born February 26, 1951 in Anderson, SC, later moving to Sandersville, GA where he grew into a gentle giant of a man and raised a family of his own. Mr. Vickery was known for his loyalty and work ethic. In the 1960’s, he and his father started the first ambulance/EMT service in Washington County. This allowed Roger to combine his compassion for his hometown folks with his admiration for Dale Jarrett, using NASCAR-like speed. He volunteered as a fire fighter as well. Mr. Vickery also worked at the Thiele Kaolin until retirement. Roger could build or repair just about anything. He skillfully assembled furniture and structured unr ivaled floats for the Kaolin Parade. Immediately after wedding his bride, Brenda, on October 22, 1972, he took her to the brick home he built almost entirely with his own two hands. His knowledge and skill were remarkable, as he could regularly be seen with a Winston Light 100 hanging from his lips while swinging a hammer. Despite the pride he put into his work outside of the home and the home itself, Roger Vickery’s deepest pride was what he built inside that home on Ridge Road--- his family. He loved his wife, “Brender” with all his heart. Together, they raised two brown-eyed boys, sharing their love of the outdoors—hunting, fishing, and teaching them to swim off a sandbar in the Oconee River. Nothing stood between Roger and supporting his boys, whether that meant making a worm bed to ensure they never ran out of fishing bait or selling his own boat to finance traveling to archery competitions. He paid attention to their interests, and he sacrificed to make their dreams come true. Roger’s outlook on life was simple: work hard and be good to people. After a full day’s work and pouring into his children, you could find him at Brenda’s dinner table where she had often prepared a feast, but all it really took to please him was a bologna sandwich and a large glass of her sweet tea. No matter what was served, there was always a jar of Duke’s mayonnaise—Duke’s and only Duke’s, other brands need not apply. After losing his wife and best friend in 2016, Roger’s Ford F-250 pointed south, where he lived his last eight years in Sylvester, Georgia, unsurprisingly making new friends at every turn. Many of those friendships were established at Pine Shadows, especially those with Mr. Steve and Mrs. Joyce Williams as well as their incredible staff of loving and devoted caregivers who all did their best to fulfill any want or need he may possibly had. The best part of living in Sylvester, however, was being close enough to soak up every moment of his grandchildren’s lives. We can still see him swooping his hair out of his face with his fingers spread like a wide-toothed comb. We will remember Roger “Paw Paw” Vickery as a man who would offer you anything except a complaint or a word of untruth. He lived a life as epic as the mustache sitting atop his playful grin. Roger was preceded in death by his adoring wife of 44 years, Brenda Cordry Vickery, his parents, Rev. Inman and Opal Vickery, and his brother, Donnie Vickery. Survivors include his sons, Brian (Leigh) Vickery of Sylvester, Jason (Anna) Vickery of Sandersville, and grandchildren, Maggie and Luke Vickery of Sylvester. Sisters, Johnnie Smith of Toccoa, Mavis Williford of Warthen, and Becky Cushman of Thomson. Per his wishes, Mr. Vickery was cremated so that his physical remains of his heart can rest where they did during life—with Brenda. The family will hold a private celebration of life service at a later date.

Mr. Roger Dale Vickery

February 26, 1951 - January 31, 2024