On Saturday, October 7, 2023, Juanita Faye Vickers was reunited in heaven with her eternal husband Richard James Vickers. Richard died on May 16, 2020.
Richard was born to John Todd Vickers and Cora Henrietta Bartelt Vickers in St. Charles, Illinois in 1927. He was the youngest of six children. Juanita was born to Vance Jay Price and Jessie Edna Brown Price in Waterloo, Iowa in 1930. She was the third of four children.
After high school, Dick enlisted in the United States Army and served in Korea between World War II and the start of the Korean War. After the war, he studied aeronautical engineering at Bradley University and the Northrop Aeronautical Institute. Dick found employment with Northrop Aircraft in Los Angeles, California. Faye graduated from high school in Arizona before moving to Los Angeles. She found a job as a secretary with Northrop Aircraft where she met Dick. After three months, they spontaneously drove to Las Vegas one night in their pajamas and were married in a drive through ceremony. Dick described this as taking the biggest gamble of his life in the gambling capital of the world.
Dick and Faye later found the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and built a family through devotion to their faith. Dick met and shook hands with President David O. McKay in 1957. They served as stake missionaries and temple workers. Both Dick and Faye were avid researchers and documenters of family genealogy. Dick writes in his personal record that he was grateful for many things. He was grateful to live in America and be able to participate in the history of the world in the last days before the second coming. He leaves his history with his children so they might know how much he loved them.
Dick and Faye lived in California for a number of years before moving to Colorado. They retired 8,000 feet up the side of the mountain in Baily, Colorado. When Dick’s health began to fail, they moved to Indiana where they resided until Dick’s death. Faye then returned to the mountains they loved until they could be reunited again.
During his lifetime, Dick helped design the very first flying wing, worked on the Hubble Space Telescope and heat shields for the space shuttle working for Lockheed Missiles and Space Co and Martin Marietta Corp. He also worked on “killer” satellites. Dick’s hobbies included building model airplanes. He also loved to bowl and participated in league play.
Faye’s primary job was that of a homemaker. At times she also worked as a data entry secretary and a security guard. Faye had a love of music, particularly church music, and was an accomplished pianist. She shared her love of music with music boxes she gifted for births and weddings. Faye was an avid reader and had a collection of Harlequin Romance books that her grandchildren would sneak down the stairs to the basement to read. She was a collector of all things copper and rust, creating beautiful floral displays with her treasures.
Dick and Faye were preceded in death by a son, Robert Vickers, daughter Stacy Morris, grandson Austin Ellis, grandson Adam Laughner and granddaughter Ka’Tiana Morris.
Dick and Faye are survived by 5 children, Stephanie (Terrence) Bauer, Suzanne (Tim) Ellis, David Vickers, Jean Baker, and Richard (Shirley) Vickers. They have 20 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandson. They are also survived by Faye’s brother Wesley Price and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held for Dick and Faye at Spring Creek Utah County Mortuary on Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 10 am -12 pm. A graveside service will follow at Orem Cemetery at 1pm.
Memorial donations may be made to the Adam D. Laugher Memorial Scholarship. Checks can be made out to the Duneland Education Foundation, 601 W. Morgan Ave, Chesterton, IN 46304. Please note Adam D. Laughner Memorial Scholarship on the memo line.
Condolences can be offered at www.springcreekmortuary.com.
