James Dale Vinson

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Apr 29th, 2014

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Death Date: Apr 29, 2014

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Biography: James Dale Vinson was born September 4, 1946 in Mobile, Alabama to James Otis and Thelma Vinson. He died April 29, 2014 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He grew up in Montgomery, Alabama and Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. He received his BA from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, and his Masters of English from The University of West Florida in Pensacola, Florida. In 1971, he began a teaching career as a co-founder of Creative Learning Center, an independent private school, in Pensacola, Florida where he also served as Director until 1998. His passion in life was to see his students find their joy and success in life. His students revered him and Dale made lasting impressions on their hearts and lives. For 13 years Dale organized Outward Bound trips to the Florida Everglades. These played a major role in teaching 8th Grade students to excel in character development, leadership, and service. Dale was an avid marathon runner and outdoors person. He loved hiking, back-packing, canoeing, and racquetball. We pay tribute to his humor, boundless imagination, and endless creativity. We salute his faith and strength in the face of adversity through his personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Dale is survived by his wife, Dee Vinson, his children Daniel (Courtney) Martinez and Alyssa Martinez of Little Rock, Arkansas, his sisters June McNamara (Howard) of Princeton, New Jersey, and Danella Nipper (Bob) of Daytona Beach, Florida, 22 nieces and nephews, and a precious grandchild, Graham Ponder Martinez. A celebration of Dale?s life will be held at Ruebel Funeral Home on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at 11:00 am. Dale?s family would like to thank Arkansas Hospice for the compassionate care he received during the last few days of his journey to meet his Savior in Heaven, Jesus Christ. Memorial donations in Dale?s name may be made to the Humane Society of Pulaski County. ?I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for His appearing.? 2 Timothy 4:7, 8.

Condolences(20)

O D *& Claudia L Vinson

#20

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

John 5 : 28-29 offers assurance of seeing our relatives one day SOON....Matthew 24 indicates we are living in prophecy and 24:14 is around the world now. Please accept our regrets at your loss and we keep all family and friends in our thoughts and prayers for relief. Share blessings of good memories with others to lighten your hearts and know others are consoling and supportive of you and family. Cordially ~ the Vinsons in East TX

James Patterson

#19

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dale was an incredible teacher a terrific friend and a mentor I will never forget. He got me on the right path when it came to teaching. I will never forget the lessons that he taught me - be honest, work your hardest and run your fastest. I miss him every day.

Bill Hughes

#18

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dale, Shocked and sad do not begin to describe my feelings when Jim called me this morning and told me of your home going. Like Jim, I began to reflect on the time I first met you (playing flag football at First Baptist Church.). I then had many happy thoughts remembering some of the antics the "three muscateers" of First Baptist did. What a tremendous friendship we all had from grammar school through the day you died. June, Danella, Sandy, and Dee, I too send all my prayers. Dale, like Jim asked, tell Billy I said hello.

Jim Etheredge

#17

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dale,

I learned of your trip home last night while attending our 50th high school reunion - not a good way to get such news. I was reminded again of when we first met in the side yard of the First Baptist church in Ft. Walton while playing touch football. I think it was 1957. I thought "Dale" was a girls name. That was the beginning of a life long friendship that I now look back on with wonderful memories.

You were a precious, loyal, and very close friend and team-mate through grammar school, Pryor Junior High School, Choctaw High School and college (Samford). I will miss you. I am sending my love and prayers to June, Danella, Sandy and Dee. Tell Benson I said "Hello."

Jim

Alicia Merritt

#16

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

A beloved teacher to our children, a thoughtful mentor to us, a kind friend to all. Dale generously shared his prolific imagination, intellect, and talent--he was the best of teachers. Our hearts go out to his family. Alicia and Michael Merritt

Jerry and Sandy Dreis

#15

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dee and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Whenever I hear the name Dale Vinson a smile immediately comes to my face. His energy for all things in life was contagious and uplifting. I have so many happy memories of Dale, the people who knew him and the Bayou Hills Run.
We'll miss you Dear Friend.

Meredith Jones Wolf

#14

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

My thoughts and prayers go out to all of your family and all of the Creative Learning Center family who knew and loved Mr. V. He transformed our lives. His approach to education challenged us and made learning fun. My life was forever changed when we did Romeo and Juliet in the 4th grade. Who does a full scale Shakespeare play in the 4th grade? There were no shortcuts. Dale was able to share the language, the imagery, and the emotion of these plays in a way that we "got it" and were able to perform it. The next production was Hamlet then Julius Caesar.
He was dedicated to his students and to Creative Learning Center. CLC now CLA would not be where it is today without the visionary talents of Dale Vinson.
"Now cracks a noble heart. Good night sweet prince: And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!" Hamlet

Martin M Turner

#13

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I just learned of Mr. Vinson's passing. He was an inspiration to my brothers and I who all attended CLC. I vividly remember our outward bound experience and his ability to inspire,invigorate and amaze us. He will be sorly missed.

Ashley Pennewill

#12

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dee, I am sorry for your loss. Words can't really describe the impact that Mr. V had on all of us who went to Creative. He made that school what it was and what it is today. I'm on the Board and can see it first hand. I graduated in '87, in between my brothers Chris and Ellison. We all feel so lucky to have had him in our lives as kids. Lucky beyond what I can attempt to write here. All of our friends feel that way as well. Much love to you and yours, Ashley Pennewill

Chris Pennewill

#11

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dee, so sorry for your loss. Mr. Vinson was a true inspiration and role model for me and my two younger brothers. We all went to CLC, I started in 3rd Grade (1976) when it was the second year of the school and I went through 8th. Both of my brothers started in pre-K and went through 8th. I have so many fond memories of him. Reading the light bulb story written earlier brought a smile to my face because he did things like that daily at CLC. To this day I think of Mr. Vinson when I hear about Greek Mythology, Shakespere and the Boston Marathon. Not to mention when I hear "The Man Who Never Returned" and other fun sing-a-long songs that we would gather and sing as a school each Friday afternoon. He will be missed but our memories and his positive impact he had on people will never go away.

Marcy kugelman

#10

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dear dee, I am so saddened by the death of dale. And my heart aches for you. I know how in love you were with each other. Dale was such an inspiration to so many. His great smile, his love for all of the children he taught, his compassion and love of life. He made such a big difference in clay and Josh's life, and for that I will feel forever grateful. And to you my precious friend, my thoughts and prayers for you, Daniel and Alyssa are being sent to you with a heart filled with love. Dee, I love you. Marcy.

Nathan Nipper

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I have only great memories of Uncle Dale. When we were growing up, we looked forward with anticipation to his visits - knowing there would be some good jokes involved. One time he pulled mine and my brothers mattresses completely off the beds while we slept. Another time he helped me plant light bulbs in his Dad's garden and then ran inside shouting "Papaw, your bulbs are coming up!" He loved running and taught us to love it too. He was always quick with a joke and had a great view on life. I'll miss him. --Nathan

Ray Smith

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

My Condolences and prayers to family of Dale. I am a friend and business associate of Howard McNamara.

Ronnie & Judy Ray

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Our heartfelt condolences in this time of sorrow. Mr. V was a great inspiration to Kelcey.

Jimmy E. Jones, MD

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dale was an inspiration to our children - Susannah, Meredith, Michael and Chuong VU. Especially to Chuong Vu who entered CLC at age 8 straight from Viet Nam. Mr.V nurtured him, taught him English and got him off to a good start in America

Barbara taylor

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dee you are in our thoughts and prayers . Our sincere condolences to your family. Rick and Barbara Taylor

The Showalter Family

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dale was such an important part in the early lives of our children Allie and Nathan. What a gentle and precious man that served our children and made us as parents at ease with his calm and gentle ways. We send our deepest condolence to his family for their tremendous loss!
Sending our prays to your family,
The Showalters

Kay Mitchell

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dale was always an inspiration to me as well as a
Friend and I will always be grateful to the many
Things he gave my three children.

Nathaniel Robinson

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Good Afternoon Mrs. Vinson (Daniel & Alyssa),

I'm not sure why I woke-up this morning and felt this urgent need to search Mr. V's name...I still can't explain it? But, I did and I am in total shock. From The Robinson's, our deepest sympathy and are most heartfelt prayers to you all in this time of need.

Respectfully,
Nathaniel

Doug Knowles

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I knew Dale as a friend for 30 years and that was too short of a time for me. The positive impact he made on students, friends and life in general sets a very high bar for all of us. I will miss his smile, humor and playing jokes on him. :-)

James Dale Vinson

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