Hugh Vickers, 90, Vickers Insurance

HAINES CITY -- Mr. Hugh D. "Dorsey" Vickers was very active in the Haines City community through his involvement with his church, the Kiwanis Club and various other activities.

"He was friendly to everybody, and a lot of people knew him and he helped people out," said his daughter, Janet Vickers of Haines City. "Just everybody knew Mr. Vickers. He used to go with my stepmother up to the drugstore when it was the Corner Drug Store downtown and have coffee every day."

The retired owner of Vickers Insurance Agency died of heart failure Sunday (June 25, 2006) in Haines City. He was 90.

Born in Camilla, Ga., on June 21, 1916, he came to Haines City from there in 1932. A veteran of World War II, Mr. Vickers served in the Army from 1941 to 1945 and was stationed in France, England and Germany.

Mr. Vickers managed Bryant's Restaurant in Haines City from 1955 to 1959 while he built his insurance agency in Haines City.

"He had worked in life insurance for a long time and knew that he needed to get out of that and into property and casualty insurance," Janet Vickers said.

He opened Vickers Insurance Agency in June 1959, operating the business until his retirement in January 1984.

He was a longtime member of the Kiwanis and served as club president from 1972 to 1973. He also coordinated the club's annual fish fry at the Heritage Days Festival in Haines City for at least 10 years.

Mr. Vickers was a music enthusiast, particularly of gospel and piano. For more than 20 years, he directed the choir at Eastside Baptist Church. He also served on the church's building committee.

He was a member of the Independent Insurance Agents of America. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Vickers was preceded in death by his wife of 25 years, Berneice Vickers, in 1965, and wife of 36 years, Ruth Vickers, in 2003. In addition to his daughter, Janet Vickers, he is survived by his stepdaughters, Sandra Staples, Lincoln, Ga., Laura Carvey, Omega, Ga., Carole Sloan, Moultrie, Ga.; stepsons, John Henry Gay, Live Oak, Charles Alvin Gayre, Osprey, Walter Franklin Gay, St. Cloud; 19 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and great-greatgrandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 this evening at Oak Ridge Funeral Care, Haines City. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Eastside Baptist Church in Haines City. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery, Haines City.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Eastside Baptist Church in Haines City.