Mr. Edward Downtain Vickery Sr.

Ed was born on the 1st of May 1922 in Ft. Worth, Texas, to Charles R. and Margaret Vickery. On the 1st of November 1938, at the age of 16, he attained the rank of Eagle Scout as a member of Troup 4 which was sponsored by Trinity Episcopal Church in Fort Worth. Ed graduated from R.L. Paschal High School in 1939 and attended North Texas Agricultural College from 1939-1941, from which he received an Associate in Science Degree. He played tennis at North Texas for two years and won the Texas Junior College Doubles Championship during his time there.

Ed then attended the University of Texas at Austin from 1941-1942 before leaving the University to serve his country in the United States Air Force Enlisted Reserve during WWII from 1942-1946. While in the service, he taught instrument flying to British and Canadian pilots in Texas and Oklahoma.

On the 30th of January 1943, Ed married the love of his life, Dorothy Butler of Fort Worth, and they remained happily married for 57 years until Dot was called home by her Lord Jesus Christ in February of 2000.

Ed returned to the University of Texas in 1946, “when Bobby Layne was quarterback,” and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University in 1947. In 1946 & 1947 Ed played on the University of Texas varsity tennis team where he lettered in 1947. His coach at that time was the legendary Dr. Daniel A. Penick.

After receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas, Ed went to Law School at the University of Texas where he received his Doctors of Jurisprudence with Honors in 1948. During this time at UT he became a member of the Honorary Scholastic Fraternity in Government at Phi Alpha Delta, the Honorary Scholastic Legal Fraternity at Phi Delta Phi and the “T” Association for letterman at the University of Texas.

Ed worked his way through law school at the University holding a variety of jobs. He was a quizmaster and tutor at the law school and dance manager at the Texas Union.

Ed also ran a business with his brother selling sandwiches made during the day by his wife, Dot, to students in various University dorms and residences at night. He also received some scholarship money and has said on numerous occasions that without this scholarship money he would not have been able to finish school. He has never forgotten how important his scholarships, and his education, were and he has repaid that kindness over the years by providing money directly and indirectly to many others so that they could continue their educational pursuits.

In 1992, Ed and Dot set up the Anne Vickery Stevenson and Edward D. Vickery, Jr. Endowed Scholarship for Women Athletes at the University of Texas and in 1997 the Dorothy Butler Vickery and Edward Downtain Vickery Endowed Scholarship was established in honor of them at the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Over the years, he continued to support both of these scholarships and institutions with his prayers, his time and his financial resources.

After graduating from law school at the University, Ed began his legal career with the law firm of Royston & Rayzor in Houston, Texas in 1948 specializing in admiralty and maritime law. He was an associate with the firm from 1948 until 1954, at which time he became a partner and remained a partner until 1955 when he became a senior partner with the firm. In 1972 the name of the firm became Royston, Rayzor, Cook & Vickery and in 1976 the firm became known as Royston, Rayzor, Vickery & Williams L.L.P., the name under which it continues to practice law today. In 1973 he became the sole managing partner of the firm and served in that capacity until 1991. During this time he was the dominant force behind the firm and established a well respected international reputation representing ship owners and ship insurers all over the world including Lloyd’s of London. As part of a very distinguished career, Ed was honored to try two cases before the Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States of America. In 1998 he was honored by the firm for 50 years of continuous service and remained with the firm in an of counsel position.

In addition to his distinguished legal career, Ed was very active in the banking profession since 1963. Through the various banks he has been involved with over the years he has provided employment and careers for hundreds of people and has provided millions of dollars in loans and other banking services to various communities in Houston and surrounding areas. At the time of his death, Ed was Chairman of the Board and principal shareholder in Tradition Bank.

As important as Ed’s business accomplishments have been over the years, even more important has been his lifelong dedication to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was a member of his beloved First Presbyterian Church of Houston since 1958 and served his Church as a Deacon from 1958-1964 and as an Elder from 1965-1994. Ed was also proud to be a member of the Board of Trustees of The Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary from 1976-1995 where he also served as Chairman of the Board from 1983-1985 and 1989-1995 and as Trustee Emeritus from 1995 until his death.

Ed was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Dot Vickery, and by his two brothers, Charles R. Vickery, Jr. and Robert Vickery. He is survived by his daughter Anne Stevenson of Sugar Land and his son Downy Vickery and wife, Kavin, of Katy. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Beth and Doug Ollre, Tracey and Lance Flessner, and Shannon Parker, by his great-grandchildren, Kimberly and Cody Ollre, and Hadley and Max Flessner, and by nieces, nephews and friends, all of whom he loved very much.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o'clock in the afternoon until seven o'clock in the evening on Sunday, the 2nd of May, in the Parlor of Geo. H. Lewis and Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A memorial service is to be conducted at noon on Monday, the 3rd of May, in the Main Sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, 5300 Main Street in Houston, where the Reverends William R. Heston, Theodore J. Wardlaw, Robert M. Shelton and Robert Vickery, Jr. are to officiate.

Immediately following the service, all are invited to join the family for a reception to be held in the adjacent Fellowship Hall.

So as to facilitate specific seating in the sanctuary, the Church Elders and their spouses are to gather in the chapel, prior to the memorial service, at half-past eleven o’clock in the morning.

In lieu of customary remembrances, and for those desiring, the family requests with gratitude that contributions in memory of Edward Vickery be directed to the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, 100 East 27th Street, Austin, TX, 78705; or to the charity of one’s choice.

Ed was a loving husband to his beloved wife, Dot… He was a caring father to his daughter, Anne, and his son, Downy… He was the world’s greatest grandfather and great grandfather…

He was a loyal friend…

He was a trustworthy business associate…

He bled burnt orange as all Longhorns do…

and

He was a faithful Christian.