Robert Leslie Vick, 80, died on February 7, 2009 at the Lexington Health and Rehabilitation Center in Kenneth City, Florida. He was born and grew up on a farm in Bailey, North Carolina where he attended local schools and later graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. After college, Robert enlisted in the US Air Force and, during pilot training, was involved in a mid-air collision that almost took his life. Following his two-year enlistment, Robert returned to North Carolina and taught school in Bunn, NC. He was married to Jaxie Royce Pace and later moved to Tampa, Florida where he continued his teaching career. He and his wife, Jaxie (also a teacher) retired from the Hillsborough County School System in 1986, during which Robert served as principal for several schools in Tampa and Riverview. He also received a Masters of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Together, Robert and Jaxie reared two lovely daughters: Jaxie Regina Tufano, who is director of several Bay Area nursing homes, and Marla Tierney, a deputy with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office who enjoys serving with the mounted police patrol and is married to Darren Tierney; and his two grandchildren: Beau Tufano and Brenna Tierney.

Robert was a member of the American Legion Post 273 in Madeira Beach, Florida. He always loved fishing, camping, boating, golfing, and riding his bicycle. He especially enjoyed living and spending time on or near the water and beaches.

Military honors will be held on Friday, February 12, 2010 at 2pm from Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.