Kenneth A. Vinall

Kenneth A. Vinall, DDS passed away peacefully on September 15, 2014 after an extended illness. Born in Tucumcari, New Mexico, February 8, 1934, the third son of Delbert V. Vinall and Mary Frances Ham. After graduating from Tucumcari High School in May, 1953 he received a football scholarship to Denver University playing the 1953-54 season. He returned home to work for the Southern Pacific RR, one of many jobs he had growing up. On September 5, 1954 Ken married childhood sweetheart, Gloria Wylene Johnston. The newlyweds headed to Waco, Texas, where Ken attended Baylor University. He was accepted to Baylor School of Dentistry in 1956 and graduated May, 1960 with his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. After his graduation, he enlisted in the Navy for two years and was stationed at USMCAS El Toro, California. The family returned to Tucumcari where Ken set up his private practice and became active in the local community. In 1973, the family moved to Tucson, AZ. After years of practicing dentistry, he started the Affiliated Dental Centers as a mechanism to provide affordable dentistry for more people. He eventually merged his dental offices with Carlos Touches' Employers Dental Services to form Dental-Net, Inc. He was particularly proud to have created jobs and careers for so many people statewide. The company was sold in 1998. After he retired, he taught in the Dental Hygiene Program at Pima College and at St. Elizabeth's of Hungary. He was honored and happy to be a dentist every day of his life. A voracious reader, Ken spent a lot of time perusing the book stores. He was a master at story and joke telling. He loved to barter in English or Spanish, enjoyed hiking and spending time with his family. Everyone he ever met has a Ken Vinall story to tell. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, brothers, Jim and George Vinall; sister-in-law, Barbara and nephew, Marc Vinall. He is survived by his wife, Wylene; his son, Granger; daughters, Georganne Bryant (Tom) and Suzanne Vinall and his precious grandchildren, Granger II and Greer Vinall (mother, Betty Vinall), Aidy and Patrick Bryant and Kaci and Kenneth Lizarraga (father, Cesar Lizarraga). The family wishes to thank the wonderful staffs of ComForcare, Carondelet Hospice, Casa de la Luz Hospice-Kanmar House and Dr. William Inboden. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be sent to St. Elizabeth's of Hungary Dental Clinic, 140 West Speedway, Tucson, AZ 85705 A Memorial Service will be held Monday, November 3, 2014 at the Arizona Inn from 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Arrangements by EVERGREEN MORTUARY.