Editor, Manteca Bulletin,

Words cannot adequately express the gratitude we feel for the outpouring of love and support our family has received after the devastating loss of Troy Vick.  Troy was many things to many people.  To me he was a loving son and best friend.  To others he was a loving brother, a devoted grandson, a thoughtful nephew, a caring cousin, a close friend, a fellow soldier, a fierce poker opponent, etc….

We are deeply grateful to our family and friends, Troy’s countless friends and the local community for everything you have done and continue to do to help us through this difficult time.

We would like to thank Ken Summers of P.L. Fry & Son and his staff for their professionalism, warmth and concern in caring for and coordinating Troy’s memorial service as well as the final full military honors burial held at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery.  We also would like to thank Pastor Mike Moore and his staff at Crossroads Grace Community Church for helping us plan Troy’s memorial service and Doreen Wynn and Ryan Wynn for the slide show presentation. We would like to say thank you as well to everyone who sent flowers or a plant to the church for the service.  It was a blessing and an honor to see so many people attend the service. He touched many lives and will continue to do so.  

After Troy’s passing, the abundance of food delivered to Tori’s home helped us out enormously. Each evening we gathered as a family, sharing stories of Troy and dealing with those final arrangements that we never imagined we would have to make.  It was such a blessing to be free from the burden of meal planning and preparation for a crowd. Thank you to all who contributed to these gifts of food that enabled us to stay together as a family during this difficult time.

We cannot begin to express the gratitude to all of you who helped with the reception after the memorial service. Please forgive me if I miss any names. We would like to thank Vic Robels, Robert Perez, Steve Perez, Rena Uecker and John Perez for handling the food and service, Heather Elkins & Lynn Shankey from the Bean & Leaf who contributed food, cookies and coffee; Tony Coit from The Pub who donated the bar services, Chris Teicheira for the MRPS hall, Greg Leland for the cases of wine.

Special thanks to Bryan Uecker, Chris Teichera, Caleb Elling, Ben Wong, Kristen & Nathan Frisk, Shawna Thornhill and Arturo Diaz for remarkably initiating and creating the “Troy Vick Memorial Poker Tournament.”  This event raised over $4500 for the Troy Vick Memorial Athletic Fund and will be established as an annual tradition to continue to benefit this scholarship in Troy’s memory. Thank you to the businesses that so generously donated food, drink and prizes. A special thanks to Nicole Dunn for the Tresettis fundraiser event. Troy has some truly amazing friends – we are blessed.

We also want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has donated to the Wounded Warrior fund as well as the Troy Vick Memorial Athletic fund. The support has been overwhelming and it will be a wonderful way to honor Troy.  We would like to thank Jack and Paula Thompson for your love, friendship and guidance in establishing the memorial fund. Once all of the details are in place, we will notify the high schools of the scholarship award process.  If you would like to contribute to the memorial fund, you can send your check to: Troy Vick Memorial Athletic Fund c/o Delta Bank (Acct#121132983), 611 N. Main Street, Manteca, CA 95336.

We are so grateful for all of the cards, prayers and stories that you have shared about Troy.  We have requested that Facebook memorialize his wall so friends can continue to post photos and stories – I will continue to read and cherish these memories.

Todd Vick & Family

Manteca