Arlie Vickery

Arlie Vickery, of Groesbeck, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 28, 2021, at age 91.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at Lost Prairie Cemetery, with Reverend Tracy Sims of the Central Baptist Church of Thornton officiating.  Honorary pallbearers will be Rand Bates, David Hughes, Bobby Jones and Randy Hunter.

Arlie was born May 6, 1930, to Ernest Vickery and Dessie (Vest) Vickery in Lost Prairie.    He attended Fair Oaks school and graduated in the Class of 1947.

Arlie became acquainted with a young lady named Martha Harringer while she was working at Farmers State Bank, with their friendship promoted by Josie Plummer, and with happy times spent together at the Dairy Bar.

Arlie and Martha were united in marriage on July 29, 1955.  They moved to LaSalle while he farmed, and later back into town.   They lived in Groesbeck the remainder of their lives, building a new home on Jacinto Street in 1977.  

After Arlie farmed, he owned the Sinclair Distributorship in Mexia and delivered to gas stations in the area.    He later went to work for TP&L as a surveyor.   His crew, which included John Dean Rader, Weldon Henderson, Kenneth Cox and Sidney Vestal, was based in Groesbeck, but traveled all over north Texas setting up electric service.  He retired in 1987 after 25 years with TP&L.

Arlie and Martha enjoyed traveling in their RV with the “Good Sams” travel club for several years.  They made trips around Texas and Arkansas.   They also travelled on bus tours with the First Baptist Church to Yellowstone and Niagra Falls.

Arlie and Martha enjoyed visiting with their friends and playing dominoes and card games.    Recently he told Peggy Champion they needed to all be back in her home playing dominoes like many times in the past.  Arlie was devoted to his son and his family, and Ronnie stayed in close touch with his Dad.  Arlie was also very close to his brother and his family, and J T talked with him almost every day.

After Martha passed away, Arlie enjoyed a friendship with Mrs. Norma Tate, sharing their interests together in playing cards and dominoes and enjoying meals together.

Arlie was a member of Masonic Lodge #354 of Groesbeck.   He was a lifelong Baptist and served as a Deacon at the First Baptist Church of Groesbeck, and later attended Central Baptist Church of Thornton.

Arlie was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 55 years, Martha Vickery, on March 19, 2010.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Ronnie and Linda Vickery of Garland; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Megan and Patrick North of Gig Harbor, Washington; grandson, Brent Vickery of Grand Prairie; brother and sister-in-law, J T and Judy Vickery of Lost Prairie; and his close friend, Norma Tate.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests any donations in memory of Arlie be made to the Central Baptist Church of Thornton.