Jack Charles Vicars

Jack was born on April 8, 1940 to JC and Jacqueline Vicars on a small farm in Barrington, IL. Although he only weighed 3 lbs at birth, he was already full of determination and strength and with his loving family he soon was in good health and ready to take on the world. His young years were spent working on his grandfather’s farm where he developed his exceptional work ethic, moral compass, and compassion for others. He met his wife Jane (nee Marsh) at West Aurora High School and secretly crushed on her during their senior year. After graduating in 1959, but before Jane started nursing school, he cheerfully asked her out and they knew right away there was magic. Jane came home from her date and told her mother she was going to marry someone “just like Jack Vicars.” He eagerly waited for her to finish nursing school before they married on April 20, 1963.

Jack attended DeVry University and then worked in real estate until he was drafted into the Army in 1963. He excelled in Officer Candidate School and was known for his sharpshooting skills. It was in the Army that Jack became fascinated with the craftsmanship and precision of firearms and it became a hobby that stayed with him his entire life. He was very active in the Aurora Gun Club in IL and became a respected firearm expert and avid collector over the years.

After his honorable discharge from the Army, he began his career in transportation sales and management in the Chicago area and did so for approximately 24 years while also keeping a small farm in Maple Park. IL. While raising his family in Maple Park, Jack was very active in the Boy Scouts of America and made sure the entire family was involved as well. Jack was an Assistant Scout Master and was proudly inducted into the Order of Arrow in 1982 and was instrumental in inspiring both sons to achieve their Eagle Scout Award. He truly lived the Scout motto “Be Prepared” and believed we should all leave this place better than it was found. However, we are now faced with the difficult challenge of trying to make this world better without him.

He retired from Sales in 1988 and relocated to Arizona with his family. He spent his leisure time reading, collecting firearms, fishing, playing cards, watching movies, and cooking. He was a lifetime fan of the Chicago Bears and also loved the Arizona Cardinals and Arizona Diamondbacks. He treasured spending time with his family and friends and loved our beautiful Arizona sunsets.

Jack is survived by his loving wife of 59 years Jane (nee Marsh,) and four grateful children: Daniel Vicars (Kimberly Prendergast,) Timothy Vicars (Sandra,) Rita Candelaria (Albert,) Mary Beth Amato (Steven,) his five adoring grandchildren: Andrew (Rita,) Lindsay (Timothy,) Autumn (Mary Beth,) Adrianna (Rita,) and Thomas (Timothy,) his dearly loved sister Monica Raymond, as well as many nieces and nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Jack was preceded in death by his mother Jacqueline Turner, to whom he was very devoted and his much loved brother, Michael.

Celebration of Life Services will be held on Thursday, June 16, 2022, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM with a small reception following at Lakeshore Mortuary, 1815 South Dobson Road, Mesa, AZ 85202 (www.LakeshoreMort.com). A committal service will occur on Friday, June 17, 2022, from 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 North Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ 85024. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Boy Scouts of America or The American Cancer Society.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LakeshoreMort.com for the Vicars family.