Dekle Brannin Vickers' Obituary
Mr. Dekle Brannin Vickers, 64 of Gainesville, passed away on Sunday, September 16, 2018 in E.T. York Care Center. He was the son of James and Edith Vickers of Trenton and was born on May 26, 1954 in Gainesville. He was the youngest of five children. He graduated from Trenton High School, Lake City Community College, the University of West Florida and received his master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University.
Dekle loved his family, especially his granddaughter, the Seminoles, his three pugs and there was always a special place in his life for his students.
After beginning his educational career at Bell High School, he spent the majority of his career in Alachua County at GHS, A. Quinn Jones, Fort Clark Middle School and Howard Bishop Middle School. He was one of the early educators who led the way in developing technology programs for middle school students. Howard Bishop’s program was the Academy of Technology and Gifted Studies and was selected by NASA to be one of its Explorer Schools Programs. It was recognized as one of 50 in the nation to participate in this program. As the years passed and times changed he adapted to the new technology, where his students were taught the skills that helped them in the workplace. He loved sharing this knowledge with them.
At his retirement party in 2016, after 40 years of teaching, he was awarded the W. Travis Lofton Award for outstanding service to Career and Technical Education in Alachua County Public Schools.
Survivors include his wife Margaret (Peggy) Jean Blood Vickers, his sons Brannin Vickers and Jason Vickers and granddaughter, Callie Nicole Vickers all of Gainesville. He and Peggy had recently celebrated their 42nd anniversary.
He is survived by two brothers, Buddy Vickers (Carolyn) and John Vickers of Trenton, and two sisters, Wihlena Wilson and Naomi Allen (Jerome), of Chiefland and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. in the chapel of WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME WESTAREA, 823 NW 143rd St. Interment will follow in Trenton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90th Blvd. Gainesville, FL 32606.
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