Happy 105th Birthday, Mr. Vickers, and Thank You for Your Service!

People in Places feature by Liz Burnett

Photos courtesy of Barbara Vickers

This Veterans Day (Wednesday November 11), Newtown Square resident H. Eugene (“Gene”) Vickers will celebrate his 105th birthday. He is Marple Newtown’s oldest Veteran, so this is an event our entire community can celebrate!

Mr. Vickers was born on November 11, 1915 (Armistice Day then; Veterans Day now), at his family’s farmhouse in Oakmont, PA. The youngest of seven children, his family moved to Havertown when he was quite young. After graduating from Haverford High School, he attended Wheaton College in Illinois. He also attended Philadelphia School of the Bible (now Cairn University), where he was employed for almost 45 years after World War II.

Last November 11, to celebrate Mr. Vickers’ 104th birthday, the Navy held ceremonies at the U.S. Navy War Memorial and Museum in Washington, DC. They presented him with a plaque honoring his service in World War II. And Newtown Township celebrated Mr. Vickers by passing a Resolution honoring him for his long life, his 65 years of residency in Newtown Township, and his many years of service to his country, his family and his community.

Mr. Vickers greatly misses his dear wife Betty of 66 years since her passing almost 13 years ago. He is blessed with a large extended family that includes 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and one more on the way. He says his secret to such a long and happy life is his faith in God and his purpose in life to live for Him, following the wisdom in Proverbs 3:5,6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.

In this most unusual year filled with stress and uncertainty, Mr. Vickers’ lifelong “glass half full, not half empty” optimistic attitude has helped him help others stay cheerful. You can do the same for Mr. Vickers by sending this dear Friend & Neighbor a birthday card and your congratulations message.