The Shreveport Times

Monday, August 28, 2006

Obituaries

Loys Hampton "Vid" Vidler

O. E. Price Memorial Cemetery, Logansport

LOGANSPORT, LA- Funeral services for Loys H. "Vid" Vidler, 87, will be held at 3:00 PM Tuesday, August 29, 2006, at the First United Methodist Church in Logansport with interment following at O.E. Price Memorial Cemetery, also in Logansport. Rev. Bob Hollis will officiate. Visitation will be Monday, August 28, 2006 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Logansport, LA.

Pallbearers will be grandsons Jeremy Deas, Gene Vidler, James Vidler, Noah Ciaccio, Aaron Vidler, Lance Vidler and nephews Jack Odom & Kenneth Odom. Honorary Pallbearers are Jack Gamble, Ken Hendrickson, Joe and Helen Matthews, Dwight Hill, Gordon Russell, Jack & Juanita Jackson; the members of Fair Park High School's "Over the Hill Gang" (Classes of the late 1930's) and the First United Methodist Adult Choir.

Mr. Vidler passed away Saturday, August 26, 2006 in Shreveport, LA. He was born January 13, 1919 to James Hampton and Mabel Slay Vidler in Toro, LA. He was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 65 years, Catherine Carroll Vidler; Brother Ferman Levere Vidler and Sister Faye Elizabeth Vidler Ellis.

Left to cherish his memory are his children L.C. "King" Vidler and wife Betty Jo of Logansport; James R. Vidler and wife Linda of Tulsa; and Julie Catherine Vidler Deas of Shreveport; one sister Gracie Fern Vidler Odom of Logansport; thirteen grandchildren Kaycee Deas, Jeremy Deas, Derek Dear, Tara Deas Sullivan, Traci Vidler Allen and husband Ed, Lance Vidler Swarthout and wife Betty, James Vidler and fiancee Laura, Amanda Vidler, Amy Vidler, Gene Vidler and wife Sara, Aaron Vidler, Noah Ciaccio and John David Hadwin and wife Lori; three great-grandchildren Molly and Mason Vidler, and Antonio Joseph Ciaccio. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews that were ALL special to him; two very special neighbors, Jerry and Nelta Anderson, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Mr. Vidler graduated from Fair Park High School after transferring from Leesville High School in the 1930's. He went on to attend Louisiana Normal College (NSU) in Natchitoches on an athletic scholarship. Sports were always a major part of his life, and he played on many football, baseball, track and basketball teams. He was also an intricate part of starting Little League programs as well as Pee Wee football. He loved coaching children and they loved him.

As much as he loved sports, he loved his country more. When the United States entered WWII, Mr. Vidler gave up on a promising baseball career, with a chance to play for the St. Louis Cardinals, to join the US Army. He proudly served under General George Patton as 1st Sgt. and Medic in the 10th Armored Division, 80th Medical Battalion, covering major parts of Europe.

After returning from war, Logansport became his adopted hometown, where his wife was originally from. He began work at The Bank of Logansport (now Community Bank) with "Cat" at his side. He worked his way through the ranks, retiring in 1983 as Chairman of the Board and CEO, after 38 years of service. He served in various capacities at local, state and national levels of various banking-related organizations.

Mr. Vidler also served his community and church proudly and faithfully. He was a past Fire Chief of Logansport's Volunteer Fire Dept.; served on the Logansport Town Council for several terms; was a member and past-commander of the American Legion post; 32nd degree Mason; a Shriner of the El Karuba Temple, and a member of the LA Cattleman's Association. He served in every capacity there was at his beloved First United Methodist Church.

Some of the names that Mr. Vidler was known as by friends and family are: Loys, Mr. "V', Vid, Daddy, Grandpa, Uncle Vid, Doc, Sarge and Coach. These names all have one meaning in common, which is unconditional love and "I care about you!" The world was a better place for his life and the lives that he touched. Those of us who knew him were truly blessed by this humble earth angel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church of Logansport (Choir or Building Funds) or Desoto Regional Hospital Foundation in Mansfield, LA. Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Logansport, LA