Thomas Vinson

Tim Vinson (Thomas M.) of St. Simons Island, Georgia died at Hospice of the Golden Isles on June 24, 2023. Born on November 23, 1941, in Valdosta, Georgia, to Thomas M. and Myrtle Pearce Vinson, Tim spent his childhood and teen years hearing stories from the numerous baseball celebrities and scouts who always gathered at his father’s pharmacy soda fountain on their way to various spring training sites. Thus began his lifelong love for sports. He learned the game of golf well, and played high school basketball and baseball where he graduated from Valdosta Highschool as Mr. VHS, Homecoming King, and Class President. He went on to play basketball and baseball for Valdosta State College before graduating from the University of Georgia in 1963, with a Bachelor of Arts in Business. While at UGA he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Upon graduation and after serving in the Army Reserve, he moved to Americus, Georgia, where he met his wife of fifty-seven years, Edie Slater Vinson. While in Americus, he served a busy four years as the Director of the Chamber of Commerce during the time of Jimmy Carter, a native of Sumter County, as Governor and ultimately President of the United States. Afterwards began a long career in the manufactured housing industry where he primarily served as the sales manager for the Southeast. This led the family to live in several states including Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina. In the family’s last move, he was transferred from Raleigh, NC, to Waycross, Georgia, but Tim decided to make their residence in St. Simons Island, where they have lived since 1997. Tim was always active in civic affairs, a member of the Rotary and Sea Island Club, but because of his deep faith he was most active on numerous boards, committees, projects, and Sunday School classes of the Methodist Churches they joined wherever they lived. He is presently a member of St. Simons Island United Methodist Church where he is on the usher team, formerly on PPR, finance committee, and church council. Adjusting to his retirement initially, he led Island Hopping for the Golden Isles Elderhostel program, then decided it was time to travel with his wife. They had many wonderful trips and cruises abroad the last fifteen years. Tim is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Edie Vinson of St. Simons Island, sons Marc Vinson of Cleveland, Ohio, and Scott Vinson (Jayme) of St. Simons Island, as well as his brother Jack (Gloria) of Valdosta, GA and their children Candice and Dean (Cherie), a brother in law Wallace (Patsy) of Augusta, GA, their children Brian (Emma) and Kurt (Christy). He also leaves three special grandchildren Slater, Pearce, and Claire Vinson of St. Simons, who will always remember how much he adored them as he left an indelible mark on their lives. Tim’s legacy will be that of a husband who knew no limits to his devotion to Edie, who set the best example for his boys, and was the most devoting grandfather who has left memories for a lifetime for Slater, Pearce, and Claire. Committal service will be held Wednesday, June 28, 2023, for the family at Oak Grove Cemetery, Americus, Georgia, with a Memorial Service to follow at 2:00pm at Lee Street Methodist Church, 1102 South Lee Street, Americus, Georgia. The family invites everyone to join them following the service for a reception in the church social hall. The family wishes to thank the many friends across the numerous states who have touched their lives and have prayed diligently during these past few weeks, and they remain grateful for all the doctors and caregivers who were with Tim during his brief illness. Memorials can be made to St. Simons Island United Methodist Church, 624 Ocean Blvd, St. Simons Island, GA 31522, Lee Street Methodist Church, 1102 South Lee Street, Americus, GA 31709, The League of the Good Samaritan, P.O. Box 2001 South Lee Street, Americus, GA 31709. To sign the online guest book and share your condolences with the family, please visit aldridgefuneralservices.com. Aldridge Funeral & Cremation Services 612 Rees Park is in charge of these arrangements.

Thomas Vinson

November 23, 1941 - June 24, 2023