James Francis Vickroy

James Francis “Vick” Vickroy passed away December 6, 2015 at Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla, WA. Born September 3, 1921 in La Junta, Colorado to Matt Vickroy & Susan Olla Josephine Smith Vickroy, he spent the first few years of his life living south of La Junta in an area known as The Cedars. By the age of 5, he had his own trap line and with his mother’s help, skinned his first fox. He received 50 cents for that pelt, out of which he brought a pocketknife and a pair of coveralls.

Jim attended La Junta High School until his junior year when a teacher told him he could “just leave if he thought he was smarter than the teacher.” At the age of 16, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps.

On October 6, 1942, he was drafted into World War II. He always said he got a letter from Uncle Sam that said “we request your appearance,” as if he had any choice. He served with the Army 42 ^nd Air Deport at bases in England and mainland Europe and was discharged December 3, 1945. Less than a month later, Jim was reacquainted with his future wife, Pearl Lindsey, at a New Year’s Eve Dance in La Junta. They had first met as children when he had taken her horseback riding out in The Cedars.

Jim & Pearl were married June 8, 1946 in Lewiston, Idaho. Due to family obligations, they moved between Washington State & Colorado several times during the 1950s. Having joined the Army Reserve, Jim was also called back for the Korean Conflict, but on the birth of his third child, was discharged on March 13, 1951.

In 1956, the family moved to Washington State where Jim worked in logging and as a welder and later a serviceman for Cascade Natural Gas Company in Walla Walla retiring in January 1986 to a farm in Touchet. After his retirement, Jim & Pearl traveled around the Western United States rock hounding. He was also a member of the Blue Mountain Old Time Fiddlers Association.

After 60 years of marriage, Jim was preceded in death by Pearl on December 13, 2006. He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Bill and Ethel and his daughter-in-law, Paula. He is survived by his children, James L. Vickroy (Renae) of Gresham, OR, Juanita Schwartz (Carl) of Battleground, WA, Thomas Vickroy (Carolynn) of Walla Walla, WA, Bonnie Ward (Russ) of Touchet, WA and Bill Vickroy (Anita) of Sheridan, OR. Also surviving is his stepdaughter, Susan Beeler of Barnsdall, OK; brothers, Virgil Vickroy of Oroville, CA, Don Vickroy (Marita) of La Junta, CO; special niece, Peggy Powell (John) of La Junta, CO and numerous grandchildren & great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.