The
following was found on the internet about Cactus Vick -
http://www.findmall.com/read.php?14,58829,58829#msg-58829
He was a mild mannered man that loved kids.
He made his living by booking "events" at grocery stores, schools,
and anywhere that would have him. Once set up, the trailer he towed
behind his car revealed a four horse merry-go-round. He did all
kinds of tricks with balloons, filling them with air and sculpturing
them in to soft kittys, warm puppies, and even bright colored hats.
His name was Cactus Vick.
He worked at all the local grocery stores. Sheppards, Cranks, and
The Friendly Butcher.
Cactus even had a connection at all the schools in town, not because
he was so talented, but because his wife of many years taught second
grade at Howard Perrin Elementary.
Cactus Vick used to make my heart start pounding just by seeing his
carousel set up when Mamma pulled into the grocery store. Back in
them days you could ride the merry-go-round for a dime and Cactus
was NOT stingy. Sometimes he would give Mamma enough time to do all
her shopping while he babysat me and other little tikes. At 5 or 6
years old, I was pretty content just going around and around in
circles while Cactus Vick made jokes and kept my mind off of bugging
Mamma.
Once when I was in the first grade, Cactus Vick came to our school
wearing his famous straw hat and entertained the first through sixth
grade. It was that day he pointed at yours truly and made me a funny
shaped hat out of different colored balloons. Was it coincidence or
did he actually remember me from times past? I'll never really know,
but I would like to think that we were buddies.
As I started getting older, I noticed Cactus Vick didn't make it
around town like he used to. If the truth were known, he probably
retired and bought the merry-go-round just to have a way to
supplement his income. He was a gentle old man who had a passion for
kids. His wife shared this passion and taught for many years at
Howard Perrin. He had made many kids smile in his day and probably
put a lot more smiles on the faces of mothers throughout Saline
County, and just to think, they only cost a dime a piece!
They don't make em like they used to; thats for sure, but the world
needs another Cactus Vick. He was not only a babysitter, but an
artist and a true "people person." I don't recall him having kids of
his own nor do I recall when he passed on, but you can be certain of
one thing for sure. If he's running that merry-go-round in the sky,
he's still putting smiles on people!
God Bless,
Lil Brother
Charlene
Virginia Smith Vick, 91, of Benton died Wednesday, March 14, 2007.
She was born June 15, 1915, in Nashville, Ark., to Ben Smith and
Anna Hutto Smith.
Mrs. Vick was a member of First Baptist Church of Benton and was
retired from a career of teaching at Howard Perrin Elementary School
in Benton. She enjoyed gardening, cooking and reading.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Volmer "Cactus" Vick; and
her parents.
Survivors include her daughter, Angela Vick Hall and her husband Mel
of Little Rock ; a son, Ben Vick of Rogers; and many other relatives
and friends.
Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Roller-Drummond
Funeral Home in Little Rock.
Graveside service will be at 3 p.m. Saturday in the Nashville
Cemetery in Nashville, Ark.
Family comments: She was a wonderful Christian mother who found
great joy in doing special things for others.
Thanks to A.L. Vick -
sinai @ geusnet.com for
sharing his info with us. If you have anything you want to add
to the "Cactus" Vick page, drop me a line at ArkansasTies@ArkansasTies.com
