Herman Wayne Vinson

Herman Wayne Vinson, 66, died July 29, 2010, in Pampa.

Memorial services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 31, 2010, at the First Baptist Church in Pampa, with Dr. Johnny Funderburg, pastor, officiating.  Private burial followed in Fairview Cemetery.  Arrangements were under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.

Mr. Vinson was born January 9, 1944 in Amarillo to Herman and Irene Vinson.  He graduated from Clarendon High School in 1962, and attended West Texas State University where he graduated in 1967 with a Bachelors of Science Degree and later a Masters of Education Degree in 1971.  Herman began his teaching career in O’Donnell where he taught for two years.  He then moved to Pampa where he met his wife, Jana Cole.  Herman and Jana were married on July 9, 1971 in Hereford and recently celebrated their 39th anniversary.  In 1974, they moved to Childress where Herman was a counselor for the Childress ISD for 10 years.  Herman, Jana and their two daughters, Shelley and Kelley, moved back to Pampa where he was the Middle School counselor for 22 years.  In addition, he taught classes at Clarendon Junior College, in both the Childress and Pampa branches.  Herman retired in 2006 and started a new chapter in his life.  He and Jana traveled extensively with family and friends throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.

Herman was involved in many professional organizations.  He enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels.  He took pride in working with the CASA organization.  He served as deacon, Sunday school teacher, and devoted member of First Baptist Church in Pampa.  He served on the board of the Pampa Youth and Community Center for many years.

Herman enjoyed sports of all kinds.  He loved attending many of the Big 12 sporting events.  He enjoyed watching West Texas A&M games, as well as many of the Pampa ISD sporting events.

Above all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.  Herman was a devoted and Godly husband, father, Paw-Paw, brother, and friend.  Herman was known for his fun sense of humor, his easygoing demeanor, and his unique way of telling a joke.  He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

Survivors include his wife, Jana Vinson of the home; two daughters, Shelley Vinson of New York City, New York, and Kelley Simpson and husband Nick of Dalhart; two granddaughters: Taylor Simpson and Claire Simpson, both of Dalhart; two sisters, Barbara Bobbitt and husband Buddy of Memphis, and Ava Ontiveros and husband Cecil of Springlake; three brothers, Bobby Vinson and wife Charlene and Eddie Vinson, all of Amarillo, and Garey Vinson and wife Georganna of Clarendon, his mother-in-law: Marguerite Cole of Hereford; brother-in-law: Bill Cole and wife Cindy of Hereford, two sisters-in-law: Beverly Paetzold and husband John of Amarillo, and Cheryl Ramey and husband George of Yukon, Oklahoma; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Herman was preceded in death by his parents; and his father-in-law, Floyd Cole.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to CASA of the High Plains, 315 N. Ballard, Pampa, Texas 79065, Pampa Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 939, Pampa, Texas  79066-0939, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Phase 1 Clinical Trials, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, Texas  77030, or First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 621, Pampa, Texas  79066-0621.