Eugene McVicker

Eugene Lee “Pee Wee” McVicker, age 63, a resident of Elk City Community passed away Friday May 24, 2013 after a brief and courageous battle with cancer. His loving wife and daughter were by his side when he drifted off to be with the Lord. Pee Wee was born in Philippi on April 18, 1950, the middle son of the late Ersel Lee McVicker and Wanda (Hathaway) McVicker. At a very young age, due to his mother’s serious illness, he and his two brothers went to live with and were raised in a home filled with love by his Aunt Bertha (McVicker) Robinson and her husband Earl.

Growing up he attended Barbour County Schools. At a young age Pee Wee worked as a farm hand for some of Barbour County’s well know citizens among them G. Baughman and General Proudfoot. In the mid 1960 he was hired by Ralph Thornhill at Thornhill’s Florist where he continued to work for several years. Around 1970 Pee Wee went to work for Bob Foltz, owner of the Big T Tastee Freeze. They became the very best friends, a friendship that would last until Bob’s death. In 1978 he began his 35 year career as a heavy equipment mechanic for Morgan “Buck” Lyons at McCoy Brothers Coal Company. Pee Wee had learned his mechanic skills first hand from his good friends Farmer Thompson and Buster Brown. Over the years anyone visiting the City Restaurant would at sometimes see these three talking over difficult mechanical problems and sharing advice over a cup of coffee. During his career he worked for several area coal companies including Atkins Brothers, C & W Coal for Bill Compton and Gold Resources for Jeff Goldizen where he retired in June of 2012, after several years of mechanic work.

Pee Wee enjoyed riding snowmobiles, motorcycles and 4 wheelers with many of his friends. In the late 1980’s he along with his wife and daughter began Civil War re-enacting. They traveled to many towns and historical battlefields in WV and met countless re-enactors that became lifelong friends. Pee Wee became very well known for his cannons and mortars that he built himself. His re-enactor unit was known as Lee’s Battery. One of Pee Wee’s greatest honors was being asked to fire his cannon at the Philippi Covered Bridge on December 31, 1999 at exactly midnight to bring in the new millennium. Each year with the help of his brother Mac, Pee Wee would sound a single cannon blast at the Mt. Vernon Memorial Cemetery for the Barbour County American Legion Post #44 Memorial Day program in honor of all the veterans.

Pee Wee loved blue grass music and working with his Kubota tractor, but greatest enjoyment was deer hunting. For over 40 years he hunted with the same group of hunting buddies on the Freeman farm on Rt. 92. He will be greatly missed by all his friends and loved ones.

On June 22, 1980 at the Elk City United Methodist Church he was joined in marriage to the former Theresa McGee who survives at their home.

Also left to cherish many happy memories are his daughter Regina Lena (McVicker) Collette and her husband Jacob Collette whom Pee Wee thought of as a son, two grandchildren, Hannah and Preston Collettee both of whom served as excellent helpers for papaw as his health failed. They were the light of his life.

Also surviving is a son Brian D. McVicker of PA and daughter Rita D. McVicker of VA, one brother Holly C. “Mac” McVicker and wife Kathy of Philippi, one sister Delta A. Syslo and husband Joe of Mt. Clare, and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death is one brother David E. McVicker and one infant sister Sheryl.

Friends will be received at the Wright Funeral Home 216 N. Walnut St. Philippi on Sunday May 26, from 11 am- 8 pm and on Monday May 27, from 8 am – 1 pm the service hour with Pastor Pat Cassidy and Pastor Mike McAdams officiating. Interment will follow in the Elk City Cemetery.

Monday May 27, 2013, 1 pm at Wright Funeral Home
Click for Map and Directions