of Batesville, AR
February 9, 1946 - September 1, 2024
Gary Vinson, 78, of Batesville passed away September 1, 2024.
He was born February 9, 1946 in Little Rock, Arkansas to Billie Joe and Esta Mae (Moore) Vinson.
Gary was a veteran of the 101st Airborne Division of the US Army and served in Vietnam. He graduated from Lake Hamilton High School in 1964, the University of Central Arkansas in 1971 and UALR Law School in 1974. He then moved to Batesville and went on to practice law for 50 years. Gary had a huge heart and he loved to have fun. He enjoyed being ''Pop'' to his grandkids and all of his family. Gary also enjoyed playing golf and pickleball, camping with friends, playing dominos and cards, especially ''Friday Night Fights'' with the Greggs and listening to country and western music. And most of all, he loved telling jokes, many of which his friends can recite because he told them over and over and over.
Survivors include his wife, whom he married August 19, 1987, Jana (McSpadden) Vinson of the home; two sons, Jay Duncan (Carmen) of Desha, Heath Duncan (Courtney) of Batesville; one daughter, Ashley Crawford (Scott) of San Francisco, California; three sisters, Reta Cagle of Springfield, Missouri, Nickie Vinson-Elms (Scott) of Pleasant Plains, Arkansas, Haley McDougal (Justin) of Pleasant Plains, Arkansas; five grandchildren, Brayden Duncan, Bryson Duncan, Jaylin Duncan, Brooklyn Crawford and Ethan Crawford as well as several nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; one brother-in-law, Ben Cagle; one nephew, Andrew Cagle and one niece, Insley Vinson.
A celebration of life will be held Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at 5:30pm at The Course at Eagle Mountain, 800 Gap Rd, Batesville, AR 72501. Casual attire requested.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Independence County, 5 Environmental Drive, Batesville, AR 72501 or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.
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56 Condolence(s)
Jan Burrow Qualls
Sunday, September 8, 2024
Sending my thoughts & prayers to the family,Gary was a good man and always nice to me
Phil Farris
Saturday, September 7, 2024
Gary and I go all the way back to law school. I will miss him.
Brenda Price
Friday, September 6, 2024
I knew Gary when we were in high school together at Lake Hamilton HS, graduating in 1964. He was always fun to be around, the life of the party. Seems like that sunny disposition remained with him throughout his life. My condolences to his family and friends and his sister Rita, whom I knew while in high school.
Tom Ford
Thursday, September 5, 2024
Gary was like a Dad to me , I could always trust Gary for any advise I might have needed and loved all the golf rounds we had together , I will miss him
Leslie Rutledge
Thursday, September 5, 2024
Jana,
Boyce and I will keep you and the family in our prayers. Gary was certainly one of a kind. I always enjoyed his incredible wit. May God give you peace during these difficult days.
Leslie Rutledge
Jim & Johnnie Hamilton
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Jana we are so sorry to hear of your loss. Gary was a great guy. Thoughts & prayers to you and your family during this difficult time.
Theresa “Harmon”Branscum
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
My Condolences to the family, so sorry for your loss, prayers for peace and comfort
BRENDA AN MONICA MCDOUGAL
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
SENDING LOVE AN CONDOlENCES.. MAY GOD WATCH OVER All . AN GARY IS A VERY GOOD MAN AN JANA HIS WIFE AS WEll.. GOD BE WITH AN BLESS ALL .. BRENDA MCDOUGAL.
Linda Hubbard
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Jana, so sorry to hear of Gary's passing. So many memories of his presence in the courtroom. Prayers for you and the family. Linda
Mary Corder
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Gary was a special friend to all of us in the 1964 class of Lake Hamilton High School. He was our class president and was a friend to all. He was always happy and enjoyed life to the fullest. He was so intelligent and worked hard to accomplish a lot in education. Gary was so much fun and joy to be around!! It was an honor to call him my friend and be a part of his graduating class. He will be greatly missed. Prayers for his family through this difficult time!
Pat Sanders
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
So very sorry to hear about the loss of Gary. I was in his high school class of 1964 and I have special memories of times with him. Reading his obituary it's obvious he was a good man and loved by many. My prayers for the family .
Terrill Gregg
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Gary was kind and a good man. Loved by all He will get his wings.
Cindy Polston
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Jana so sorry to hear about Gary. He was a wonderful kind man that would do anything for anyone. He will be great ly missed by many.
Ladene Bray
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Jana and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Gary's passing. He was a great guy and could tell some funny stories. My condolences to each of you.
Oscar Jones
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Great lawyer and better man. I learned a lot from Gary about the law practice. Heartfelt condolences to Jana and the family. Gary will be missed.
Greg English
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Saddened to hear this. We began golfing together around 1976 or so. I thoroughly enjoyed his company each an every time. In fact Gary and I teamed up to play together in a tournament the last trip I made to Batesville. He was always a good friend. There was nothing like being around him!!!
My sincere condolences to all in Gary’s family. RIP my friend.
Joan Davidson
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Have known Gary for a great many years. He was a good man and a friend to all. Prayers for the family and friends of Gary and Prayers for the repose of his soul.
Tommy & Gail King
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Gary was a very kind man he helped our family out a few times I met his wife Jana she’s a very sweet lady, Sorry to hear the sad news my thoughts and prayers go out to your family Gary & Jana .. Fly high with the other angels no more pain and in a better place Gary.
Karen and Jack Blackmon
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
God bless you and the family. Gary was such a great good hearted guy. We will him!
Hugs
Scott Melhorn
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Although I didn’t know Gary well I could tell he was a wonderful soul. My condolences to Jana and the rest of the family. May he continue to live on with the stories he told through family and friends. I know he will be missed greatly.
Tim stewart
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Jana and family,
Ruth and I are sorry for your loss and our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Cecilia, Shannon and Josh Vinson
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Condolences. A life well lived full of love, joy and laughter. Gay will be missed by everyone that knew and loved him. I hope that Gary and John are having a blast playing golf on the Golden Course.in Heaven. I can still hear John laughing SO hard as Gary rattled off joke after joke. Prayers to Jana and the family.
Melissa Castleberry
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Gary was so kind and funny
I am sorry for your loss
I know he will be missed by many
Johnny Mitchum
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
He was a great friend and will be sorely missed. I hate cancer. May God give peace and strength to everyone who loved Gary.
Shane Hightower
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
I met Gary Vinson through work and he was always personable and professional. My prayers are with his family during this time.
Randy Luster
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Jerry was a great guy. I sure did enjoy playing golf with him for many years and hearing all of his old stories. He will be missed!
Brenda Terral
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Jana, I can’t tell you how sad we were to hear about Gary. We have so many fond memories of him. Of course we go back many years….about 48. He will be missed by many. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Jim and Brenda
Terry Dean
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
So sorry to hear of . Gary's passing. Enjoyed playing golf with Gary during our visits to Port Aransas. A true gentleman. He will be greatly missed. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Tianna Reynolds
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Very sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. Keeping the family in prayer.
Janet Tosh and Bill Estes
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
We are so very sorry for your loss. I knew Gary from working at Citizens Bank years ago.. thought very highly of him. Prayers for all the family
Sherri
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
I’m so sorry for your loss, you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Peggy Goodman Graves
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Prayers for peace and comfort. I graduated from High School with Gary in 1964. Wonderful, Intelligent classmate. God Bless!
207 Cynthia Circle
Hot Springs, AR 719
501-693-6340
Andrew Thurman
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
The girls and I will miss him greatly. He was a very kind, gentle, and funny man. The world is a poorer place without him.
Deborah D. Phillips
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
To the family on all sides and friends of Gary and their family, we all loved this man. He was my brother-in-law long ago and always stayed Uncle Gary to my sons. They were fascinated he could talk like Donald Duck when they were young. He was always there when we had a question and we loved his humor when giving us answers and options for our situations. Visited Gary and Jana when they were parked in their 'van down by the river' during one of his LR Hospital Visits. Gary always smiled, no matter how he felt, had a great laugh and optimistic attitude about his health. We knew he was going to beat it this time also. You will always be in our hearts Dear Gary. You will be missed.
Karen Ragle
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
I met Gary through his best friend, John Gregg. It was always a pleasure to talk to and work with Gary. When one of my “extra” daughters became part of Gary’s family, I was impressed by the love shown to her by Gary and Jana and continued to be shown to the end. Prayers for Jana, the kids, family, and his best buddies
Kay Southerland
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
It is with great sorrow that I can accept this news. I am so sad for all of his family. Gary and I have shared many great times and many fun times throughout the years— since about 1974! Fly High, my dear friend. Prayers and hugs for all.
Patrick Collins
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
So sad to hear this. I enjoyed many a court room battle with him and against him. Best of all was to call him my friend. Prayers for peace and understanding to Jana and the family
mark goff
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
gary great guy i was glad to know him and be his friend mark
David Dion
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Gary was one of my favorite people, he will be missed.
Betty Burge Cockrill
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Jana and family, I am so sorry to hear about Gary. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you.
Phyllis B Reed
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
So very sorry to hear of your loss. Gary was a welcome visitor at Wal Mart. He was always waiting & ready for another story or joke. He will be missed.
Joshua Morrison
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Gary had a peacefulness to him which allowed him to display a refreshing, positive attitude that was admired by those who knew him. He was a man who had everything he wanted in his loving family and friends. We may have lost a very well-respected and kind man, but we will always cherish the memories he created with us all.
Mark shreve
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Jana and family. In my thoughts and prayers
Marshall & Maria Taylor
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Gary waas a great lawyer and well respected. I loved working with him although sometimes we were on oppsite sides we never let that interfere with our friendship. Gary will truly be missed.
Alma Ward
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Sorry to hear about passing of Gary, I have known him many years . His Dad Bill,
Was a good friend of years ago . Prayers for his family .He will be missed .
Jon & Jennifer Hidy
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Gary certainly was on of a kind! He will be greatly missed by this community. Sending love and prayers to all his family.
Keith Wyatt
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Jana and family I’m so very sorry for your loss.
Janet Brezler
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
So sorry for your loss. Gary was a very kind person. Prayers for all.
Gerald Provence
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Gary was a great great guy. I worked for his dad for 17 years and then worked for Gary for three or for years in the construction after his dad passed. I cannot express in words how much I thought of this guy!!! Rest in peace Gary!!!!
Dr. Rodney and LaCrisha Griffin
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Gary was a wonderful friend and man with a great sense of humor. You are deeply missed. Praying for this sweet family.
Paula Cruz
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
My deepest sympathy for Jana and all the family.words can't describe the man he was .I couldn't think of a better man God Bless
Donald Duncan
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Good man and friend, will be missed by many, he was a great POPs to my nephews, and their families, also such a fun guy to be around, with a big heart!
Mark and Jessica McCollum
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Vickie Pryor
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
My favorite brother in law.
I loved him.
Jonathan and Ashley Freiert
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
The best neighbor and long time friend; you will be missed. We see the sadness in Andyroo and kitty will have to lay in Jana’s lap now. There is a huge hole in our little neighborhood now. Will miss seeing you leave the house and roo standing in the middle of the road to wait for you to come back. We will always be there for Jana, for Roo and Kitty when they need us.
Gail Moore
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Gary was such a sweet man! I will be praying for his wife and family!