Victor C. "Vic" Sullivan, III

Victor Carlysle “Vic” Sullivan, III, 66, of Albany, Georgia, passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 29, 2024. Vic was a deeply loved husband, father, son, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who will be missed by all who knew him. 

Born in Athens, Georgia, on February 21, 1958, Vic was the first of four boys born to Lillian and Carlysle Sullivan. Following his father’s graduate school graduation, they moved to his mother’s hometown of Albany, where he became a lifelong resident. He graduated from Deerfield-Windsor School in 1976 and attended The University of Georgia, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and earned a degree in Finance. Upon graduating in 1981, he returned home to begin his 43-year career in wealth and investment management. 

Vic married the love of his life, Jane Anne DeLoach of Blakely, Georgia, in 1984. Together they built a life that brought him his deepest joys, their children Victor and Margaret, and later their four grandsons Lyle, Robert, Charles and Paul, who affectionately called him “Bop”. Vic adored his daughter-in-law, Katie, and son-in-law, Will, as if they were his own.

Vic began his career with A.G. Edwards, ultimately becoming Wells Fargo Advisors, where he served as Branch Manager and Financial Advisor until 2019. A highlight of his career was his son, Victor, partnering with him in business in 2009. During his career, Vic received numerous awards, including the Platinum Council Manager Award. In 2019, he and Victor founded an independent wealth management practice, Upland Wealth Advisors, where he served as a Partner. He was a trusted advisor and mentor to countless clients and colleagues throughout his lengthy career. What Vic enjoyed most in his business was the opportunity to work with families for generations. He cultivated friendships and relationships that he valued beyond measure.

Vic was a true outdoorsman with a deep appreciation for nature. Spring Hill, the Sullivan family farm in Bronwood, Georgia, was his sanctuary. Vic had a true passion for land management and cultivating the habitat for wildlife, especially wild quail. He had the opportunity to hunt across the country and abroad in Bolivia and Africa. One of his lifelong dreams was to take Victor on a true African hunting safari, and some of his most cherished memories were from their two trips to Tanzania. However, nothing brought him more joy than following his beloved bird dogs and listening to the whistle of quail through the piney woods of Southwest Georgia.

Vic loved big. Jane Anne, his children and his grandchildren were the most wonderful reflection of his love. As a father, Vic was always present and incredibly intentional about spending time with Victor and Margaret. He never missed a chance to make sure they knew how loved they were. Vic loved his four grandsons immensely and recognized these blessings each day.

He had a special way of creating a glimpse of heaven here on Earth. A perfect day, included morning coffee with Jane Anne, his dogs Chip, Remy, Leon and Dottie, Waffle House breakfast with his grandsons, a trip to the farm to quail hunt or simply to ride around with family or friends, then ending the day with a sunset, a glass of Cabernet and stories by the fire. 

The Sullivan family has long been known for their deep love of the University of Georgia and Vic was one of UGA’s most dedicated supporters. He truly loved Georgia football, rarely missed a game and cheered the Bulldogs to victory at three National Championship games. Vic’s dedication to the University ran much deeper than being a graduate, parent, and fan. He committed years of his life to furthering opportunities for students and alumni through his service on numerous boards including: the Terry College of Business Alumni Board, UGA Foundation Board, UGA Arch Foundation Board, UGA Athletic Board, UGA Graduate Education Enhancement Board and the UGA Alumni Association Board, for which he proudly served as president from 2009 to 2011. This role as alumni president was one of his deepest honors and allowed him the opportunity to speak at eleven UGA Commencement ceremonies – two of which were for his children’s graduations. 

He was also a member of Gridiron Secret Society. Vic’s lifelong involvement with the University of Georgia gifted him with many of his most cherished memories and friendships.Vic generously dedicated his time and energy to the Albany community. He was a founding member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, a member of Leadership Georgia, a member of Leadership Albany and actively supported the Albany Museum of Art, the Albany Symphony Orchestra, the Albany Chamber of Commerce, the Albany Bulldog Club, Easter Seals, the Boy Scouts, Theatre Albany, the Phoebe Foundation, Artesian City Sertoma Club and the Albany Rotary Club, where he recently served as president. Vic was a longtime member and board member of Doublegate Country Club, The Indoor Birdwatchers Society and a founding member of the Albany Halcyon Club. Trained by his grandmother Margaret Lackland, Vic was an accomplished public speaker. He was a skilled orator and always had the right words to fit the occasion. 

In 2005, Vic founded Heroes Hunting, a two-day deer hunting event for enlisted Marines assigned to Albany’s Marine Corp Logistics Base. For 19 years, Vic hosted this event at his farm, as his way of expressing patriotism and gratitude for the United States Military. While this was the initial purpose of Heroes Hunting, Vic’s truest enjoyment came from stories told around the fire and building lasting relationships with Marines and his core group of friends and co-hosts, known as “The Over the Hill Gang”.

Vic leaves behind a large family legacy, of which he was incredibly proud. He is survived by his wife of forty years, Jane Anne DeLoach Sullivan; his son, Victor Carlysle Sullivan, IV and his wife Katie Zager Sullivan; daughter Margaret Sullivan Keyes and her husband William Robert Keyes; his four grandsons Victor Carlysle “Lyle” Sullivan V, Paul Zager Sullivan, William Robert Keyes, Jr., and Charles Lackland Keyes. He is also survived by his three younger brothers and their families, Colleen and Tommy Sullivan, Meredith and Frank Sullivan and Byrd and Shana Sullivan; brother-in-law William Charles DeLoach, Jr.; uncle Bill Sullivan and his wife Sarah; aunt Elena Lackland; stepmother in-law Val H. DeLoach; nieces and nephews Lilia Sullivan, the late Saville Sullivan Larkin and her husband Chandler, Clarke Sullivan, Hayden Sullivan, Thomas Sullivan, Will Sullivan, Charlie Sullivan, Ben Sullivan, Lanie DeLoach Foster and husband Rundy; dear in-laws Cindy and Mike Zager and Dana and Bill Keyes; and many beloved cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents Lillian Lackland Sullivan and Victor Carlysle Sullivan, Jr.; grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Lackland and Mr. and Mrs. Victor Carlysle Sullivan, Sr.; mother-in-law Gloria Dake DeLoach and father-in-law William Charles DeLoach, Sr. 

There is no doubt that Vic’s legacy will be remembered by his joyful laugh, the sparkle in his blue eyes, and his unwavering warmth and kindness to all.  

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 2, at 2:00 pm at Covenant Presbyterian Church, located at 2126 E. Edgewater Drive in Albany, Georgia. Dr. Biff Coker and Dr. Paul Luthman will officiate. Those serving as pallbearers are Tommy Sullivan, Frank Sullivan, Byrd Sullivan, Clarke Sullivan, Hayden Sullivan, Thomas Sullivan, Will Keyes, Chandler Larkin, Mike Zager and Bill Keyes. The family will receive friends and loved ones prior to the service from 12:30 until 1:30 pm in the breezeway of Covenant Presbyterian Church. A private family interment will follow the service at Crown Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, we ask those desiring to make gifts in memory of Vic to Covenant Presbyterian Church (2126 E. Edgewater Drive, Albany, Georgia 31707) the Albany Museum of Art (311 Meadowlark Drive, Albany, Georgia 31707), the University of Georgia Foundation (give.uga.edu or One Press Place, Athens, Georgia 30601), or CURE for Childhood Cancer (200 Ashford Center North, Suite 250, Atlanta, Georgia 30338).