Bruce passed peacefully from this earth with his son, Jon, holding his hand on Tuesday, November 10, 2020. He was born in Port Arthur, Texas on April 4, 1949. Bruce was a special birthday gift from God to his mother Barbara Vickers and an only son to his father, Bruce Vickers, Sr. Shortly after Bruce’s birth the family moved to Austin where he lived his entire life surrounded and loved by his large family and many friends.
In 1968 he met and married Molly Barta. His son Michael was born in 1969. Bruce began his service in Vietnam in 1970 and upon returning to civilian life, he and Molly had two more children, Jon, born in 1974 and Melanie born in 1976. He loved all three of his children very much. They were so important to him and made him a proud father.
In 1985 Bruce met Jennie Ebel and in 1986 they were married. Bruce and Jennie remained married for 35 years until his passing. They lived a wonderful life and shared a love of all water sports. Bruce was lucky to spend most of his time living near his favorite place, Lake Travis. He was a champion water skier, a master diver and “King” of the para sail. He and Jennie visited some of the best dive sites in Mexico and were married in Cozumel.
Of all sports, racing was his true love. Boats, go carts, stock cars, classics, and of course, jet engine powered cars. The roar and pop of the engine, flame and smoke shooting out the rear of the car, accelerating to speeds up to 300 MPH and the amazement and adoration of the crowd made him shine. Although not still driving he was involved in the sport until the end.
Bruce was an amazing mechanic. He could and did repair anything, and I do mean anything. His phone was constantly ringing with “Hey Bruce, can you help me with….” I never knew him to refuse a request for help. Bruce made an excellent living as both a computer programmer and a mechanic extraordinare.
Survivors include his wife, Jennie; his children Melanie, Jon and Michael; his grandchildren Kaitlyn, Ashton, Micah, Disney, Tiler and Belle; the mother of his children, Molly; his sibling sisters, Dianne and Cynthia; his nephews Anthony, David and Chris; his nieces, Yonder and Brooke; and his beloved dachshund Bella.
He was preceded in death by his father, Bruce H. Vickers, Sr.; his mother, Barbara Bartels Vickers and his sister Martha Isgur Vickers.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, November 18, 2020, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Weed-Corley-Fish Lake Travis Funeral Home.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, November 19, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Central Texas State Veteran’s Cemetery in Killeen, Texas.
