Darrell Hewitt Vicknair

LTC Darrell H. Vicknair, USA, (Ret.) passed away in Williamsburg, VA on January 18, 2026, at the age of 91. He was born October 13, 1934, in Lake Charles, LA. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Mabel Vicknair, as well as three sisters, Dolores, Loretta, and Gloria.

After graduating from LaGrange Senior High School in Lake Charles, LA, Darrell went on to earn his BS in physics from McNeese State University and his master’s in human resources from Pepperdine University.

Darrell proudly served the US Army from 1956 to 1980, serving through the Vietnam War and retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He continued his education through General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, KS; Defense Project Management at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, OH; the Ordinance Officer Advanced Course in Aberdeen, MD; Nuclear Weapons training at Sandia Base, NM; Missile and Warhead Testing at Ft. Bliss, TX; and Flight Training in Dover, NJ.

Darrell worked in Ordinance for Boeing & McDonnell Douglas, VSE Corp., and White Scientific. During his long military career, he also worked as Missile Platoon Leader (Corporal and Nike missile); with Ordinance Depot Co. (Germany); PERSHING Project Officer (Cape Kennedy, FL); Commanding Officer Ordinance Co. (Korea); as an Ordinance/Engineer Specialist (Ottawa, Canada); Military Assistance (Vietnam); HQ Atlantic Command (CINCLANT); and Assistant Chief of Engineers (Pentagon).

He will be missed by his wife, Dana Vicknair; son, Kevin Vicknair (Patty Sue); daughter, Christie Weaver; grandchildren, Jennifer Evans (Chris) and Ryan Thibodeaux (Chelsea); great-grandchildren, Morgan, Jeff, Emilee, Brittney, and Jacob Evans and Jadyn, Brelynn, and Brendon Thibodeaux; as well as his great-great-grandchildren, Laken, Lyric, Scout, and Ryker.