Obituary - Ron Vickers
15 June 2012Ron Vickers, who had a long career in the timber industry, has died. He was 86.
He started his working life in the timber yard, progressed through the office into sales, and eventually started his own business.
Mr Vickers was also a long-standing member of the London Hardwood Club and he stopped attending the regular lunches only when his mobility prevented him.
As a young man he was a keen member of the Air Training Corps and later joined the RAF as trainee air crew. He earned his 'wings' towards the end of the war as the British military was shedding staff. He worked initially as bomb aimer/navigator and then on safety equipment.
This led to an interesting spell working at an experimental parachute unit before joining 202 squadron in Gibraltar.
Throughout his schooling and military service Mr Vickers was an all-round sportsman, excelling at football, cricket and track events. During his time in Gibraltar he was the RAF sprint champion and after the war he played football and cricket for RAF Association. Later in life he was a keen golfer. He also had a passion for ballroom dancing.
Mr Vickers is survived by his sons Gary and Martin and granddaughters Alex and Hannah.
