Michael Vickery

Michael Ross Vickery, 54, of Hixson, died suddenly of a heart attack Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014. Michael was born in Gadsden, Ala., but lived most of his life in Hixson. Michael was a 1978 graduate of Hixson High School. He graduated from Chattanooga State Community College with degrees in accounting and technology and attended Georgia State University in Atlanta. Michael was an accomplished musician and studied French Horn in Chicago, Ill., and Atlanta. He played for many years in the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra. Michael served in the military and was a member of the Armed Forces Military Orchestra. Michael worked at Chattanooga State in the technology department. Survivors include his wife, Deborah Beard Vickery; son, Alexander Michael Vickery, Hixson; parents, Waymon and Evelyn Vickery; and brother, Mark Vickery (Brandi), of Hixson; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Nathan and Ann Beard, of Hixson; brother-in-law, Timothy (Lynise) Beard, of Atlanta; nephews, Nathan and Robbie Beard, Atlanta; numerous uncles, aunts and cousins spread throughout the United States. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. today at Hamilton Funeral Home Chapel with Patrick Roark officiating. A private burial will be held in Chattanooga National Cemetery with Dale Vickery, Bobby Green and Timothy Beard serving as pallbearers. Memorial contributions may be made to the scholarship fund for Alexander Vickery to the Suntrust Bank, Northpoint Blvd. Hixson, TN 37343. Visit www.hamiltonfuneraloptions.com to share words of comfort to the family. Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 4506 Hixson Pike, 423-531-3975.