Donn Vickers, the founding director of Thurber House and the Jefferson Avenue Center, a champion of local arts and a community activist, died Aug. 5 at age 91.
A native of Columbus, Vickers served as executive director of Thurber House from 1985 through 2001. His many accomplishments include the development of Thurber Park.
He also co-founded the African American Leadership Academy and the Eastside Arts Initiative to promote Black artists and served as an adjunct professor in arts administration at Ohio State University.
Vickers wore a variety of hats during his various careers in different cities. In Honolulu and Chicago, he was a private school music teacher and played in jazz groups and symphony orchestras. In Rochester, New York, he was a clergyman
active in the Civil Rights Movement. In Syracuse, he did research and development in higher education.
Kathy Matthews, interim executive director at Thurber House, recalled Vickers visiting the literary arts center and museum earlier this year for an update on programming, as well as to offer advice.
"He wanted to check in, see what we were planning, what we were doing, and give me some wisdom. I appreciated it so much," she said.
"It was so lovely just to be there with him and be able to hear what he wanted to say and let him know all the good things happening."
A memorial service for Vickers is set for 4 p.m. Aug. 20 at Broad Street Presbyterian Church, 760 E. Broad St.
Contact features and entertainment reporter Belinda M. Paschal at bpaschal@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Thurber House founding director Donn Vickers dies at 91
