J C Vick

JC Vick of Wilson has been welcomed Home by his Lord and Savior this week and is undoubtedly already astride one of his favorite tractors in a big, straw hat, tinkering in his heavenly backyard-shop, or enjoying small talk with his buddies at Wilton Owens’ 76 Service Station in the celestial Macclesfield.  Eastern NC (“God’s Country”) will miss his kindness, gentleness and humility as will his family.  

The youngest of nine siblings born to parents Lena and Benjamin Vick of Speed, NC on October 22, 1933, JC likely developed his love of family and good-natured disposition as a baby brother to Daisy, William, Clifton, Henry, Irene, Stanley, Ashley and Lilly.  A standout basketball player at Leggett High School, JC went on to serve his country honorably in the United States Air Force, and later attended Atlantic Christian College.

JC learned very early that family and friends— not things— are what makes life so special.  A devoted father and grandfather, JC intently sat on many a bleacher watching his offspring play tee-ball, baseball, soccer, basketball and football through the years. He enthusiastically labored at the former Tarboro Edgecombe Academy when his namesake and son, Jay, played sports there— tending to the fields, dugouts and pitching mounds. Even as his health declined, he still made it to his grandson’s football games in Raleigh, keeping one eye open— and one eye closed— so as to better catch the game through spells of vertigo.

JC adored his church families, including those at First Baptist in Tarboro and Webbs Chapel Church in Macclesfield.  He enjoyed cooking Brunswick stews for fall festivals and church homecomings.  Along with taking apart farm equipment, vacuum cleaners, and anything else with a motor, he hoarded nuts, bolts and other seemingly useless pieces of random hardware that eventually saved many-a-day for friends in need. 

If nothing, JC was authentic and oblivious to even the smallest whiff of pretense, which made him a joy to be around. It did not matter to him where one lived, attended school (or didn’t), went to church or played golf. This likely proved frustrating to anyone seeking to impress him, but garnered him a number of loyal, lifetime friends.  A Jerry Clower cassette tape could move JC to tears as could recounting a story with a happy ending.  He loved country music, cooking chicken outside on the grill and mowing grass.  

JC loved his wife Shelly, his sons Danny and Jay, his grandchildren, Amber (Connie Rawls and Danny Vick), Wesleigh and Clay (Susan and Jay Vick), his great granddaughter Bella, his daughters-in-law through marriage, Susan and Connie and his many surviving nieces and nephews.  He was blessed to have extended family through his marriage to Shelly, which included Chris Pittman and wife Leslie, Gina Lucas and husband Charles, and her grandchildren Taylor,  Eyan and Zack. His best friend in life, and for life, was his older brother Stanley.

In addition to his eight brothers and sisters, JC is predeceased by wife Ann Ellis Vick (formerly of Macclesfield) and grandson Danny Vick, Jr. 

A Celebration of J.C.'s Life will be held at the Webbs Chapel Baptist Church in Macclesfield on Tuesday July 2, 2019 at 2 Pm with the family receiving friends and family one hour before the service at the church. The interment will follow in the Macclesfield City Cemetery with Military Honors.

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