Ask Mr. Vickers: Q&A with Marple-Newtown’s 103-Year-Old Neighbor

Our Community Feature - by Craig Whitney

For America’s birthday, we returned to Marple Newtown’s oldest veteran, Eugene Vickers. His years of wisdom serving in the military, raising a family, and keeping a positive faith-filled attitude through it all are an inspiration.We asked 103-year-old Mr. Vickers more about his life and what he might be able to share with us.

Eugene Vickers, Marple-Newtown's oldest veteran

When did you serve in the military?

“I served in the Navy during World War II, just as the war was breaking out and people were being drafted. Because I had a college degree, I went in as an officer. Things had to be done, and we were the ones to do them. I liked being out to sea. I was able to see the world while serving my country. I was in the Hawaiian Islands and the northern Pacific. The sunrises were especially beautiful over the Pacific. God has really made an amazing creation.”

Is your family still in the area?

“Yes, I have a wonderful family. I have four daughters: Betty Jean, Barbara, Brenda and Beverly, all B’s. They have children, and some of their children have children now. We have a beach house in Ocean City where we all get together. I like the beach very much, not so much the sand anymore, but everything else.”

What advice can you give about using time wisely?

“It’s very important to be a part of a church and give back. My time with Sunday School was always important to me. Church was always a big part of my life. We would have Sunday School in the morning, a young people’s meeting in the afternoon, then an evening service. And after the evening service, we would all eat together. I made the church and the church community a big part of my life, and that made all the difference.”