Howell Thomas "Bud" Vicars Obituary
Howell Thomas “Bud” Vicars of Eastland, Texas passed away on Monday August 22, 2016 of a massive heart attack
while playing golf in Ruidoso, New Mexico.
Bud was born on July 13, 1940 to parents Ardria Howell and Alba Thomas Vicars. He graduated from Clyde High School
in 1958 and later joined the Navy. He served in the Vietnam War and while stationed in Iwakuni, Japan he met his wife of
50 years, Fumiko Kato. Bud was a machinist and opened Vicars Machine & Mfg. in 1978 in Odessa, Texas. The family moved to Rising Star, Texas
in 1980 where he continued to work at his machine shop. Bud loved to play golf and fulfilled a dream by designing and building his own golf course.
Rolling Oaks Golf Club was opened in 1992 with 9 holes and an additional nine in 1996. Bud and Fumiko sold the golf course in 1997and moved
along with the machine shop to Eastland, Texas. His daughter Debbie and son-in-law Chris bought the business in 2009 when Bud decided to retire.
Bud loved to play golf but most of all loved to watch his kids and grandkids play sports. He was an avid fan of each one and would attend
any event he possibly could to show his love and support. He would brag on his girls and grandkids any chance he could and to anyone that would listen.
Bud is survived by his wife Fumiko, daughter Debbie Harris and husband Chris , daughter Sarah Allgood and husband Robert , 7 grandchildren;
Kasey Guidry, Mason Guidry, Ryan Harris, Kyle Harris, Kevin Harris, Jake Allgood and Laynee Allgood, one great-granddaughter
Addie Simmons, one brother Berton L. Vicars, several nieces, nephews, and numerous cousins.
A visitation to see the family will be held Sunday, August 28, 2016 from 2:00 P.M.-4:00 P.M. at the First Baptist Church in
Rising Star, Texas. Military honor services will be held Monday August 29, 2016 at 11:00 A.M at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Abilene, Texas.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Texas State Veterans Cemetery, 7457 W. Lake Road, Abilene, Texas 79601.
Cremation arrangements were provided by LaGrone Funeral Chapel of Ruidoso, New Mexico.