James Dale Vinson

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 a.m. 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. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.