Donald James Vickery Born December 10, 1944. Died December 20, 2005.

Don "Donnie" Vickery, a 27-year veteran engineer at Rocky Flats has lost a long valiant struggle against cancer. First diagnosed in Dec. 1993, Donnie underwent liver transplant and defeated the cancer at that time, but fatigue from the battle forced him into early retirement Feb. 1, 1995. Donnie and his wife Monica (David) enjoyed traveling and Donnie especially loved bike trips on his Harley Davidson. His two favorite quips; "If you can't wrench it, you can't ride it", and "Chrome won't get you home". Donnie was born in Boulder, Colorado and proud to say he was a third generation Boulderite. He was a wrestling star athlete in high school, competing for a place on the U.S. Olympic team. He attended C.U. and graduated with three engineering degrees. He went to work at Rocky Flats in April 1968, working for the U.S. Dept. of Energy. Among his accomplishments, he took great pride in his development of Wind and Sun Energy. Just prior to his retirement, he traveled the world as the project manager, designing and building wind turbines, the first being in the U.S. in Wyoming.

Donnie's second love was skiing. He competed in several down hill races. In 1982 he took 3rd place in the Lake Eldora Front Range Challenge. He once met and skied with Jean Claude Keilly in the Alps on one of Don's trips around the world. Don was active politically, an election judge in Denver County since 1998. Don always said that you come into this world with your mind, body and spirit. He felt it was important to develop all three. He believed in healthy physical competition and would never give up without a fight. Don loved the outdoors, hunting, and fishing. An active member of Eastmoor swim and tennis club. Don's most recent interest was in mastering tennis.

The cancer returned in September 2004. Don underwent surgery, radiation and chemo, fighting courageously. He died at home in Denver. Don is survived by his wife, Monica (David) Vickery; daughter, Kimberly Anne (Vickery) Stapish; stepson, Michael T. (Penny) O'Donnell, Jr.; mother, Evelyn V. Trumble; sister, Merry Gayle (Kenny) Vickery (Rayburn). Also survived by grandsons, Reece B. and Tyler J. Stapish; step granddaughter, Ashleigh E. O'Donnell; step grandson, Michael T. O'Donnell III; niece, Kerry Dawn Vickery; uncles, aunts and cousins. Preceded in death by his father, Howard E. Vickery.