James Wesley Vickers

James Wesley Vickers, age 75, of Alexandria, Virginia passed away at his home on August 9, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 52 years, Paula Sue Vickers, his loving parents, Helen Vickers Holleman and James Wiley Vickers and his beloved aunt and uncle, Mimi and George Marshall. He is survived by his daughter Lisa Johnson (Paul), sons Bryan Vickers (Katie), and Scott Vickers (Jennifer); and seven grandchildren who brought him immense joy: Lindsay, Natalie, Alex, Lucy, Campbell, Belle and Bryan. He is also survived by his brother and sister in law, Ronny and Betty Vickers, his cousin Bobbie Noel, uncle and aunt, Ollie and Ann Vickers, and brothers in law, Dean and Chris Moore (Sue). He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and cousins, and many wonderful friends. Jim was born in Washington DC on October 9, 1946, and his brother Ronny followed a couple years later. As a young boy he enjoyed a variety of sports, alongside collecting baseball cards and other memorabilia with Ronny. Jim attended Hammond High School in Alexandria and spent his summers lifeguarding at the Warwick Village Pool. It was there he met the love of his life, Paula, and the rest is history! They dated through the rest of high school and college. Jim attended Roanoke College and was a member of the basketball and diving team. He continued to show off his diving skills for his kids and grandkids for years to come, adding his infamous dolphin flop in the pool to make everyone laugh. Paula and Jim married on August 5, 1967. After his graduation from Roanoke College, they moved back to Alexandria, where Jim attended law school as a full-time student at night at American University, also working during the day for Geico. As he would describe his time at Geico, he “helped to insure the uninsurable drivers of America”. After passing the bar, he would begin a rewarding 40 plus year career at the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in the Office of the General Counsel. His time at GAO provided many lifelong friendships which he enjoyed throughout his retirement. In October of 1971, Jim and Paula welcomed their daughter Lisa. They knew they wanted two or three children and that was settled when they discovered they were expecting twin boys. In June 1975 they moved to the house where they would spend the next 44 years as a family. Two months later, in August of 1975, Scott and Bryan were born. Jim, or “little Jimmy Vickers”, as his family would often tease him, had an amazing sense of humor. He was known for his quiet, sarcastic wit and loved to joke with his family. He had an uncanny ability for offering gag gifts and jokes at family gatherings. When he and Ronny were together, the whole family was guaranteed a comedy show. In addition to time with family, Jim loved golfing. He enjoyed traveling to Myrtle Beach for annual golf trips, playing with family and friends, as well as playing in the senior league at Greendale Golf Course in retirement. He loved to watch golf too, especially his favorite player, Arnold Palmer. That’s where his faithful dog of the last six years, Arnie, got his name. His other favorite sport was basketball, and he was a lifelong Boston Celtics fan. He also loved the Virginia Cavaliers and shared that love with his daughter Lisa for many years. Jim was a Civil War buff and an avid reader. He likely read any book written on the Civil War. He was a voracious reader and had a multitude of overflowing bookshelves to show for it. Jim discovered a passion for cooking when his kids were young and Paula returned to work at the Justice Department. Following in his Dad’s footsteps, he was known as a gourmet chef by many, most of all by his family. Everyone had a favorite of Jim’s dishes, and his manicotti, crab cakes, macaroni and cheese and asparagus risotto were among his most requested items. He took his talents in the kitchen to Sharon Chapel Episcopal Church and later to St. Luke’s, where he spent many days working alongside others to cook meals for the parish, and for the less fortunate. His favorite item to cook though was chocolate chip pancakes for his grandkids, who were eager to get in the kitchen and help “Pop Pop” prepare their breakfast. Jim and Paula loved to travel and were thrilled to be able to take several wonderful trips together with family and friends. Their favorite travel companions were their close friends Jackie and Barry, who joined them on a transatlantic cruise. In the months before Paula passed away in 2019, they took a dream river cruise from Amsterdam down the Rhine and Danube Rivers. Jim and Paula cherished their time at their beach house, Carolina in my Mind, in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. They loved to spend time in Corolla with family and friends, which provided wonderful memories for the family over the years. Jim and Paula celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a beautiful vow renewal on the beach at Topsail, North Carolina in 2017, surrounded by their children and grandchildren. He adored his seven grandchildren. Pop Pop and Mom Mom were well known by friends of their children and grandchildren because they attended every game, performance, competition and show the kids were involved in. They were always front and center in their kids’ and grandkids’ lives. We will miss him terribly, but are grateful for the wonderful memories he helped create. We take great comfort in knowing he is now reunited with his beloved Paula. There will be a visitation on Tuesday, August 16th from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at Jefferson Funeral Chapel, 5755 Castlewellan Drive, Alexandria, VA 22315. The funeral service will be Wednesday, August 17th at 11 am at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 8009 Fort Hunt Rd, Alexandria VA 22308. A reception will be held immediately following the service for family and friends at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jim’s memory to Shrine Mont, at www.shrinemont.com or Homeward Trails Animal Rescue at www.homewardtrails.org

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James Wesley Vickers

October 9, 1946 - August 9, 2022