Victor Herbert Driscoll, DVM

Dr. Victor Herbert Driscoll passed away on July 22, 2014 at his home in Wharton. Vic, also known as "Doc", was born on September 18, 1922 in Frisco City, Alabama to Jeremiah and Mary Driscoll. His wife Linda, daughter Judy, son-in-law Charlie Brand, four brothers Jere, William, Carl, Lelland, and his sister Bess preceded him in death. He grew up a child of the Depression and was a veteran of World War II, enlisting in the Army Air Corps at the age of 17. He was trained as a flight engineer for a B29 flight crew where he flew 26 missions in the Pacific. His crew walked away unharmed from one crash landing, but were the only crew in his Quonset hut to survive the war and also flew in the lead plane in formation over the USS Missouri as the Japanese surrendered. Following the war, he attended Auburn University where he graduated with a doctorate in veterinary medicine. While a student at Auburn he was a member of Alpha Psi, a professional fraternity and was tapped for Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership fraternity. At Auburn, he met and married Evelyn Elinda Vickers or "Linda". He moved his family to Wharton to complete his internship with Dr. John Willis in 1952 and later bought the practice. As a resident of Wharton, he took his religious and civic duties seriously. He was a life-long member of the First United Methodist Church and as such he served in many official capacities including serving on the building committee responsible for the current church structure. He also served as chairman of the Bi-County Welfare Board, was a member and officer of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, was a member of the American Foreign Legion, was chairman of the committee that composed the current city charter adopted in 1970 (the same charter used today), was elected Chairman of the Wharton County Junior College Board of Trustees in 1966 where he served for 14 years, was elected Mayor of Wharton on a write-in vote, was a lifelong member of the Lion's Club serving in all official capacities, was a member of the Wharton Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of the Masonic Lodge. In 1978, he left private practice and went to work for the federal government as the official in charge of all animal crossings and diseases along the Texas border from Brownsville to El Paso. He made Pharr his home for over 10 years. After the tragic loss of his wife, Linda, in a house fire, he returned to Wharton and to friends he made so long ago. He once again became active in the Methodist Church and the community. He served on the Tax Equalization Board for two years, joined the local AARP where he held officer positions, received the Melvin Jones Award, an international award given by the Lions Club, served as a tutor for high-risk students in Wharton's public school system, and became an active volunteer at SHARE and the 100 Club. His life reflected his philosophy that people were not placed on this earth to secure their own well being, but to serve others. His daughter Mary Brand of West Columbia, son John and wife Linda of Wharton, five grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, his brother Dan and wife Sue of Fairhope, Alabama and a host of nieces and nephews, survives him. We warmly invite his friends to join us in a celebration of his life at the First United Methodist Church in Wharton on Sunday, July 27, 2014 at 2:00 PM with Rev. Meredith Wende officiating. In lieu of flowers please send your memorials to the First United Methodist Church (1717 Pioneer Ave, Wharton, 77488) or SHARE (Share Center 229 West Milam, Wharton, 77488).