James Vinyard Sr.

James Allen Vinyard, Sr., age 76, of New Bloomfield, Mo. passed away Thursday, June 29, 2023, at his home.
He was born on December 23, 1946, in Gadsden, Alabama, the son of James Finis and Margie Louise (Sanders) Vinyard. He was married on June 6, 1982, in Jefferson City, Mo. to Melodie Anne (Essen) Vinyard who for many years he lovingly referred to as "Matilda". She survives in the home.
Jim was a graduate of Jefferson City High School and later continued his education with Lincoln University. He was a proud United States Navy Veteran having served during the Vietnam War. Jim was the former water commissioner and City councilman in New Bloomfield.
Throughout the 1970's and 1980's, he worked as a mechanic for Blackwell's Garage. Jim later became self-employed and his natural gift for automotive diagnostics and repair has made him a sought-after professional in his trade. He has a passion for restoring old Fords and Corvettes. His ability to just listen to an engine or be told what the vehicle was doing, know the issue, and fix it earned him the title of a true Master Mechanic. He could truly fix anything and was known to say, "it's just a piece of metal, it doesn't know what it's supposed to be".
It should come at no surprise that Jim's favorite place is his garage. He loves spending time there, tinkering with cars and other things and watching TV or his favorite movies, African Queen, and Papillion, which he could quote by heart. Many hours have been spent in his garage visiting with his son Jimmy, and friends including Dee and especially Jack Custard. Some of his best memories were made at Capital Speedway. He loved to build fast motors and read through the rules to see what he could get away with because it hadn't been written in the rulebook yet. He had a soft spot for dogs, specifically Dobermans having had many of them as pets through the years and he was especially fond of Kate and Hope. Jim was an incredibly intelligent man who often said "I've had a great life".
Survivors include: his wife, Melodie Vinyard of New Bloomfield, Mo.; his son, James Allen Vinyard, Jr. (Lynie) of Tipton, Mo.; siblings, Bruce Albert Henzler of Jefferson City, Mo., Mary Elizabeth Iliff (Thomas), Kenneth Wayne Vinyard, Roger Dale Vinyard, and James Finis Vinyard all of Sedalia, Mo.; Jim also helped raise Tracy Vaughan of Jefferson City, Mo.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Margie and James; beloved mother-in-law, June Bug; daughter, Bridgette Lynn Vinyard; infant daughter, Jeanette D. Vinyard; sister, Shirley Elizabeth Brown; and Lonnie Jo Jenkins.
Private services will be held for the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.