‘My dad left an impression on everyone he met’
THE daughter of a well-known Tarleton man has paid tribute to her dad following his death. James ‘Eric’ Vickers died earlier this month, following a short illness. He was 88.
Eric was appointed headteacher at Mere Brow in the mid 1960s.
At the time, the school was failing and numbers had dropped to just 16. Eric was given just six months to increase the number of pupils and improve the school’s prospects.
This he achieved, with numbers rising to 26, securing the school’s future.
Under his leadership, the school continued to flourish, with plans being developed for a large extension and by the time he left in 1966, numbers had risen to around 70.
He then moved to Tarleton County Primary, where he was headteacher for six years, with pupil numbers rising from 180 to 300 during his time.
Eric also served on the parochial church council and Tarleton parish council.
He campaigned to secure a library and dental practice, and lobbied hard against a proposed abattoir.
Eric wrote a letter to his family, which was to be read to them following his death.
At his funeral earlier this month at Holy Trinity church Eric’s daughter Judith began her eulogy with an excerpt from her dad’s letter.
It read: “I have had a long, happy and fulfilling life mainly as a result of being blessed with loving parents and especially having a wonderful wife, daughters, grandsons, sons-in-law, and extended family.
“I have no regrets and hope I’ve left certain legacies in the work I’ve done.”
Paying tribute to her father, Judith said: “Whether you knew dad a little bit or whether you were very close, he will have left an impression on you.
“His family have been very touched and comforted by the many lovely tributes we have read and heard.
“He has been described as a ‘top bloke’, he couldn’t have been a better uncle, a wonderful great uncle, a true inspiration, a gentleman and a gentle man.
“He was full of life, someone who always had time for you, always welcoming and good fun, vibrant, loving, funny hardworking, a much respected gentleman of integrity, high standing in the community who was generous with his time and skills, and a good man who did great things.
“His family are very proud of him and what he achieved.
“As a teacher and as a headteacher, he was inspirational and would be thrilled to see former pupils and colleagues.
“As well as his children and grandchildren, nephews, nieces and godchildren, he also showed great interest in and support for his in-laws, step grandchildren and great grandchildren and of course, the many friends who considered him to be family.
“He was a wonderful supportive husband, father and grandfather, who loved us all unconditionally.
“No words can describe how much we loved him and will miss him.”
Eric is survived by wife Margaret, three daughters and two grandchildren.