Mancil James Vinson

Mr. Mancil James Vinson, age 90, of Murray, Kentucky died at 1:55 a.m. at his home on Saturday, June 13, 2015 after an extended illness.

Mr. Vinson was born in Calloway County, Kentucky on October 4, 1924 to the late Henry Cullen Vinson and Amey Susan Knight Vinson. In addition to his parents Mr. Vinson was preceded in death by one sister, Estelle Vinson Outland.

Mr. Vinson began his career as an Agriculture and Science teacher in Christian County, Kentucky. Later he served as the Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of Kentucky for 18 years and 13 years as the Director of Alumni Affairs at Murray State University. He ended his career as a representative for the Kentucky Independent Bankers Association. Mr. Vinson earned his Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture Education from Murray State University in 1949 and a Master of Science Degree in Agriculture from the University of Kentucky in 1960. He was awarded membership in Gamma Sigma Delta Fraternity at the University of Kentucky for his high scholarship and outstanding achievement in Agriculture Science. He was the first recipient of the Outstanding Agriculture Alumnus Award presented by the Murray State University Department of Agriculture and was awarded the Golden Horseshoe Award from Murray State University for his dedicated service to the university. Mr. Vinson served on the Murray City Council for two terms in the 1970's. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Murray, where he taught Men's Sunday School Class for 45 years and served on the Board of Deacons for 40 years. He was a World War II Veteran of the United States Airforce, where he served as a guard at the Nuremberg Trials and witnessed the testing of the first atomic bomb in New Mexico. He was a 45 year member of the Murray Rotary Club, a 50 year member both of the Shriners and Masons. Mr. Vinson was an avid Murray State Racer fan along with his wife Anne who seldom missed a game, at home or away.

Mr. Vinson is survived by his wife, Anne of Murray to whom he married on December 28, 1949 at Anne's home church, Porter Memorial Baptist in Lexington, Kentucky after meeting while participating in graduate work at the University of Kentucky; one son, Mark Cullen Vinson and his wife Becky of Murray, Kentucky; one granddaughter, Kelli Anne Vinson Lambert and husband Joshua of Florence, Alabama; one grandson, David Cullen Vinson of Murray, Kentucky; one great grandson, Judah Lambert of Florence, Alabama; a special nephew and niece, Dr. Richard and Cheryl Crouch of Murray, Kentucky; other nieces and nephews, John Osborne of Frankfort, Kentucky, Judy Sizemore of Lexington, Kentucky, Elizabeth Gravitt of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, Sherida Gentry of Murray, Kentucky, and Francie Ray of Murray, Kentucky; as well as one sister-in-law, Jane Osborne of Lexington, Kentucky.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home with Bro. Boyd Smith and Rev. Jim Stahler officiating. Eulogies will be made by granddaughter, Kelli Lambert and grandson, David Vinson. Burial will follow in the Murray City Cemetery. The Murray Rotary Club members and Deacons of the First Baptist Church will serve as Honorary Pallbearers. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home.

Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Mancil Vinson Honorary Scholarship Fund, Murray State University, Office of Development, 200 Heritage Hall, Murray, Kentucky 42071 or to the First Baptist Church Mission Fund, 203 South 4th Street, Murray, Kentucky 42071.

Online condolences can be made at, www.thejhchurchillfuneralhome.com