Donald Vinson

Donald Ray Vinson, 61, of Edwards passed away Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia. He was born on June 19, 1955 in Sedalia, the son of James Avery and Clarie Esther (Gerken) Vinson, who preceded him in death.

Donald attended Whittier Grade School. He graduated from Smith-Cotton High School in 1973, where he was active on the baseball team. He followed in his father's footsteps and received an electrical engineering degree from the Union Pacific Rail Road in Omaha, NE. He worked for the Union Pacific Rail Road in Little Rock, AR, retiring in 2006. Donald was kind-hearted, friendly, and had a quick, funny wit. He preferred the simple life. He enjoyed crossword and mind puzzles and was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs. He found peace at his lake house. He loved his family and his favorite saying was, "I'll box my way through it."

He is survived by a daughter, Charlotte Vinson of Little Rock, AR; three grandchildren, Hannah, Ava, and John; his loyal dog, Ricky; two brothers, Jim and Stephen Vinson; four sisters, Tanja Tagtmeyer (Virgil), Connie Lamm, Brenda Schwenk (John), and Marilyn Rasa; two stepdaughters, Kim Geotz and Cathy Cornell all of Sedalia.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Loretta Vinson.

Donald will be missed by his large family who dearly loved him.

A celebration of life gathering of family and friends will be held from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 18, 2016 at Rea Funeral Chapel, Sedalia.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice in care of Rea Funeral Chapel.