More detail on this person: Robert Ramsay
Vickrey, 68, passed away April 26th. at his home
in Flower Mound, surrounded by his beloved family.
From an early Dallas family, Robert's
great-grandfather owned a wagon yard where
Dealey Plaza is now located. Born November 22,
1941 at Florence Nightingale Hospital, the son of
Richard Ramsey Vickrey and Lura Luddie Johnson
Vickrey, he grew up in his grandparents' home at
the corner of Hall Street and Turtle Creek. A
member of the first graduating class at Thomas
Jefferson High School, he later attended
University of North Texas and Southern Methodist
University. While working in the insurance
business, Robert was drafted for service in the
United States Army during the Vietnam conflict;
serving from 1967-1971. He was a helicopter pilot
with the 119th Air Assault Helicopter Company
,receiving two Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star, 16
air medals , and numerous other campaign and
service medals. After serving in combat capacity,
Robert was an Instructor Pilot at Fort Wolters
where he logged a record of 500 hours of
accident-free instruction. In 1974, Robert met
Kris Panek; and three years later they were
married on September 1, 1977. Shortly thereafter,
he and Kris moved to Pittsburg, Texas where they
welcomed their daughter, Sara, in 1982. In
Pittsburg, Robert and Kris were active in the real
estate business and restored several historic
properties, including one which received a Texas
Historical Commission marker as a result of their
efforts. A meticulous craftsman, Robert did much
of the restoration work himself as well as serving
as general contractor. On their return to Dallas,
he worked in case management for Eberstein &
Associates, and later Pelletier& Associates while
helping Kris in her real estate business. A
discriminating reader, Robert loved words and
their meanings; was a wonderful story-teller, and
had a great laugh. He possessed a dry, ironic
sense of humor. Patriarch of his extended family,
he was always generous with his time, advice, and
resources both within his family as well as with
his friends he considered family. He is survived
by his wife, Kristine Panek Vickrey, a son, Curtis
Kidwell of Portland, Oregon, a daughter, Sara
Vickrey of Dallas, a granddaughter, Ginger Kidwell
and a grandson, Stuart Kidwell of Portland,
Oregon. Also surviving are a brother Richard and
family of Denton, two sisters, Jo Alice Rember of
Crowley and Barbara Avery of Ivanhoe, and
numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. A Military
graveside service will be held on Friday April 30
at 2:30pm at Restland Cemetery. Hughes Funeral
Home is handling arrangements.
Published in Dallas Morning News on April 29, 2010
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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