John David McVicker of Slaton, Texas, passed away in his home on December 12, 2020, at the age of 66. He was born in nearby Plainview, Texas, to J.E. “Mac” and Virginia “Jenne” Mae (Curry) McVicker on April 11, 1954.
A short time later, David and his family moved to Muleshoe, Texas, where he grew up and attended Muleshoe High School, graduating in 1972. David then attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Management. While attending, and for years after, TTU was a centerpiece in his life. He would proudly show off campus flowerbeds he had helped cultivate, and he took his children and stepchildren to as many TTU sporting events as he could – football, baseball, basketball, whatever he could manage. Although he also loved the Chicago Bears, the Red Raiders were far and away his team of choice.
David’s love of TTU and his community was eclipsed only by his love for his family. When his sons, Michael and Jake, were young and he worked evenings, they would bring him supper on his breaks. It was these evenings apart from his family that led him to leave the hospitality industry and join the Texas Department of Human Services. When he worked as a Community Care Manager, he was known to bring groceries to his elderly and disabled clients who needed a little extra help outside of the services the State provided. Later towards the end of his career, David found a passion in Child Care Licensing for Health and Human Services. In this role, David traveled his beloved state of Texas to help childcare facilities navigate regulation and improve their businesses. In every aspect of David’s career, he sought ways to go beyond the bare minimum and make life easier for his fellow neighbors.
With Michael and Jake in tow, the three of them would regularly travel to Muleshoe, Texas, to spend time with David’s mother and help her with her chores. Even more regularly, he loved to attend his children’s sports games (regardless of outcomes) and supported them in all their extra-curricular activities. One point of pride was graduations, everything from pre-school and high school, as well as travelling across the state and the country for college and graduate school commencement ceremonies.
When times were tough, David would sacrifice so he could find meaningful gifts and tokens of affection to show his family and friends how much he loved them. Oftentimes, David would find a trinket and think of someone, only to give to them years later making every visit with him special. He regularly sent silly cards or emails infused with his unique sense of humor to let others know he was thinking of them. One important lesson that David taught his family was that the act of giving could delight a loved one’s day.
In addition to his family and community, David frequently lived his life with a soundtrack of his favorite music playing in the background. He regularly went to live performances, everything from big rock concerts to local musicians playing at microbreweries. He was deeply proud to be a local Texan and was passionate about the history of his home state and the McVicker family. All of this was something that David loved to share with others. A conversation with David was guaranteed to be both intense and engaging, as you were going to hear about the culinary creations of his own making (or other good food at local restaurants), proud stories of his children, stepchildren, nieces, and nephews, or hear his laugh and smile that could light up a room and bring people together.
David is survived by two sons from his first marriage, John Michael McVicker of Los Angeles, California, and Jacob Bryant McVicker of Austin, Texas, and two stepchildren, Hope McGlone and Brandon James McGlone both of Lubbock, Texas. He leaves behind his siblings, Jan Elizabeth (Charles) King of Amarillo, Texas; Susan Louise of Dallas, Texas; and Dan Curry (Julie) of Dallas, Texas. He leaves behind nieces and nephews Sheri King (Neil) Klepach, Shaely Robert King (Wendy Jo), Curry King (Joseph) Willix, Melanie Anne McVicker, John Curry McVicker, and William Robert McVicker. He leaves behind grandnephews and grandnieces Cal Edward (Riley) Arrott, William King Arrott, Nathan Kern Arrott, and Jenne Elizabeth Arrott.
Per David’s request, The Eagles’ Already Gone will be played at his memorial service.