Marvin Eugene "Gene" Vickers

Tarboro – Marvin Eugene “Gene” Vickers, age 92, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.  Born in Wilson County, NC on July 2, 1933, he was the son of the late MacDonald Vickers and Vessie Marie Wells Vickers.  He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Fumiko “Mickey” Izumi; his brothers, Franklin “Frank” Delano Vickers, and Joseph Edward “J.E.” Vickers; his half-brother, MacDonald Vickers Jr.; and his half-sister, Margaret Lucille Vickers Reynolds.

Gene was one of fourteen children of M.D. and Marie and was a 1951 graduate of Nashville High School. Immediately after graduation, Gene enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in July 1951. Gene once stated that his devotion to his country stemmed from having “pride in the U.S. since school days and reading and hearing about the military and their contributions.”

After boot camp in Parris Island, SC, he went on to serve in two wars, countless actions, innumerable exercises, deployments and everything else that goes with it.  Gene Vickers had fond memories of being chosen as the U.S. Marine Corps Color Standard bearer for New York on Armed Forces Day in 1959. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant (E-5) in the Marine Corps before reaching 21 years old and remarked that he “could not even buy a beer at that age.”

Gene fought in four campaigns each in both the Korean War and Vietnam War. He was stationed throughout the world, not only in Korea and Vietnam, but also Okinawa, Japan, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and Camp Pendleton, California in addition to other locations. He was a highly decorated Marine who rose to the highest enlisted rank, Master Gunnery Sergeant (E-9), before his 28-year USMC career ended with retirement in 1979. At that time, he held the USMC MOS of 2191 – Armament Chief.

He was later married to Kiyoko Medoruma of Chatan, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. They remained happily married until his death. Gene and Kiyoko were a romantic couple. He would often call her “babe”, and she would call him “babydoll.” They lived for many years in San Diego, CA before moving to Tarboro, NC in 2024 to be closer to family.

After 28 years and 2 months, to be exact, Gene retired from the Marine Corps and began working at the U.S. Postal Service. He realized almost immediately, however, that sorting mail wasn’t his bag. Gene was then hired as a physical security specialist at the Naval Sea Support Center, Pacific Fleet.

In 1986, he relieved the Director of what is now known as NOSSA ESSOPAC (Naval Ordnance Safety and Security Activity, Explosives Safety Support Office – Pacific). Gene was responsible for the conduct of explosives safety inspections, reviews, and assistance to all Navy and Marine Corps shore stations and all Navy ships in the Pacific area from the Mississippi River to Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. He was later recognized as a “Plank Owner” of NOSSA – part of its very first crew.

Gene retired in January 2010 at a special ceremony at the Indian Head Naval Surface Warfare Center in Maryland, where many dignitaries were present to celebrate Gene’s astonishing 58 years and 6 months of an illustrious military and government career serving these United States.  Gene was a great patriot and a great man in equal measures, and his absence will be deeply felt among his large Vickers family. A devoted and loving husband, father, brother, uncle, and good friend to many, Gene will be deeply missed and never forgotten.

Gene is survived by his wife, Kiyoko Medoruma Vickers; his daughter, Debra “Debbie” Kay Vickers of Wilmington; his son, Raymond Glenn Vickers of Pompano Beach, FL; his brothers, Jerry “Wayne” Vickers and wife, Sherry, of Whiteville, Harold Donald Vickers and wife, Carolyn, of Harrisburg, James “Jimmy” Buchanan Vickers and wife, Patsy, of Rocky Mount, John Robert “Bobby” Vickers and wife, Rita, of Rocky Mount, Harry “Truman” Vickers and wife, Sandi, of Elm City, and Cordell Vickers and wife, Sue, of Clearwater, FL; his sisters, Carolyn Marie Vickers Mobley of Rocky Mount, Eleanor “Marian” Vickers-Irish and husband, Terry, of Elm City, Brenda Kaye Vickers Hart of Dacula, GA, Patricia “Ann” Vickers-Hammock of Midlothian, VA, and Mary “Frances” Vickers Riley and husband, Matthew, of Raleigh; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and good friends.

A Celebration of Life Service to celebrate Gene’s life will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 4:00 PM at Southside Baptist Church, 4948 Carter Road, Elm City, NC 27822 with Rev. Dr. CJ Cauble officiating.  Visitation with the family will be from 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM prior to the service at Southside Baptist Church.

Burial will take place with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Gene’s memory to Disabled American Veterans, 5623 Duraleigh Road, Suite 121, Raleigh, NC  27612, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY  10306, or to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.