Elvin "Al" Vickers

Elvin K. Vickers (known affectionately as Al) passed away on February 26, 2024, at the age of 88, after courageously fighting several health issues the past two years. Al retired to Las Cruces, New Mexico in 2001. He made many new friends and became an active part of the community. He loved desert living and strongly desired to live out his final years in Las Cruces. That wish has come true.

Al was born July 7, 1935, to Alma Gwendolyn Willmore Vickers and Ivan Preston Vickers in West Palm Beach, Florida. From the age of three, Al was raised in Highland Park, Michigan by his mother Alma. He was the youngest of four children: late Charles Vickers (Betty); late Gerald Vickers (Lois) and survived by Iva Jewel Lutz (Charles) who recently celebrated her 90th birthday.

Al served with the U.S. Army (1953-1956) and was stationed in Kentucky and Germany during the end of the Korean War. After his service, he was the first in his family to complete college and did so while working and supporting his young family. In 1961, Al earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Soon after graduating he began a career in sales at IBM, followed by varied stops as a business consultant, president of start-up OnFarm Computing, software sales executive at ADPAC Corp. and consultant/partner at Semcog Associates.

In his later years, Al served in leadership roles within various charitable organizations in New Mexico and as a regional leader of the SBA's SCORE (Small Business Administration: Service Corps of Retired Executives). Seeking to further serve his community, Al also ran for a commissioner seat of Dona Ana County. He volunteered as a docent at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum and participated in the "Men Who Cook" charity to raise funds for the Mesilla Valley Hospice Foundation.

Al married Carol Mae Tromans on January 25, 1958, and for 20 years they raised their five children together in the Detroit, Michigan area, Ft. Wayne, Indiana and Westport, Connecticut. Al was also married to Betty Capella (1978-1987) and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. Al was later married to Elizabeth Delaney from (1989-2001). Al then retired to Las Cruces, New Mexico where he met his dear friend, Dee Wischmann.

Al is survived by his five children Donald E. Vickers of Santa Fe, NM; Brian R. Vickers of Novi, MI, Loreen C. Whirley (Robert Whirley) of Santa Rosa, CA, Marie Lynn Hill of Marion Township, MI, and Christopher Todd Vickers (Laura Morse) of Las Vegas, NV. Al was extremely proud of his grandchildren: Amy Vickers (Brian Stevens), Paige Vickers (Chad Felix), Chris Vickers, Catherine Vickers, Karen Whirley, Emily Hill, Gavin Hill, and Mason Vickers.

Al will be sorely missed by his family. He was fortunate to pass away peaceably in a comfortable environment and was able to visit with all five of his children as well as close friends during his final days. Al had the great satisfaction of a long, eventful life, filled with family and great friends. The family appreciates your support during this difficult time and asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Mesilla Valley Hospice, 299 Montana Ave, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005.