John Kenneth "Ken" Vinson

1935 - 2023

Brunswick, Maine - John Kenneth Vinson passed away in Brunswick, Maine on October 22, 2023, at the age of 88. He is survived by his wife, Gail Reinertson, son John Vinson and wife Kim of Tallahassee, Florida, grandchildren Allan and Anna, daughter Jenifer Vinson Engdahl of Rome, Italy and sister Priscilla Baker of Georgetown, Texas. In his lifetime he moved from the West Texas treeless sand hills to Oxford, Mississippi, to Tallahassee, Florida, and retiring in forested Maine.

Kenneth was born in Wink, Texas, on June 7, 1935, to Jewel and John Vinson. Graduating from Wink High School in 1953, he was an honor student and active in sports, winning state recognition as the quarterback of the 1952 Class A state champion football team. He delivered newspapers, sacked groceries, worked in the oil fields in Alaska, and danced in the dance. halls to the music of Roy Orbison and his band.

After receiving his LL.B law degree from the University of Texas, he and his first wife, Patsy Burkleo Vinson, moved to Andrews, Texas where he joined a law firm. Kenneth then attended Yale for his LL.M degree. He began his teaching career at the University of Mississippi Law School continuing at Florida State University Law School. One of his courses was legal writing. He taught on a Fulbright Fellowship in Romania while training for the Budapest marathon, one of several marathons that he completed. He taught American law students several summers in Oxford, England.

Ken wrote a column for the Tallahassee Democrat about the Florida Supreme Court and managed to add a few stories about living in a town where the tallest structure was the water tower. He wrote many law review articles and authored a book entitled THE CASE AGAINST THE LAW.

Playing tennis and walking/petting his constant companions, mostly golden retrievers, became favorite pastimes in retirement. He and Gail spent time at their cabin in Sopchoppy, Florida, hiking, bike riding, and canoeing in the Sopchoppy River. Ken also spent time assisting Gail as she welcomed guests to her Bed and Breakfast Inns. All who knew Ken will remember his sense of humor, his smile, and his kindly nature.