Clifton Thomas Vickers

Clifton T. Vickers Retired USAF Major passed away on Monday, June 8, 2015 in San Antonio, Texas. Born in old Gilbersville KY in 1932 to TJ and Pearl Vickers. Attended Murray State University and entered the Airforce in 1954 serving one year in South Vietnam in 1965 earning the Distinguished Flying Cross Nine Air Medals, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and his unit, The 1st Air Commando Sqd., received the Presidential Unit Citation, the first awarded since the Korean War. Instructed in ATC at Randolph AFB in 1966 and 67 when his unit was transferred to Keesler AFB where he continued instructing until 1971. Then returning to ATC Hdq where he retired in 1973 with two AF Commendation Medals. He then returned to pilot training as a civilian academic instructor for the navy at Chase NAS. After 4 years he returned to Randolph to work with Flight Simulators and the NAVIGATOR Flight simulators. After 18 years he retired from civil service. He was a Command Pilot and also earned the AF Missile badge while serving with the 868 Tactical Missile Sqd in Taiwan in 1959 and 1960.

Maj Vickers was preceded in death by his parents and one sister. He is survived by his loving family, wife Susan, son Kyle, daughter Kim Dietert and husband Barry, son Michael and wife Patti, and six grandchildren and one great-grandchild, nieces Fran Turner and Vickie Stedman.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Williams-Syndrome Association at www.williams-syndrome.org

Burial will be at Fort Sam Houston with Graveside services and full Military honors.