Michael G. Vinson

VINSON, MICHAEL G., passed away suddenly on Sunday, April 1, 2007 at the age of 55. Mike served in the U.S. Army for six years active duty and 13 years in the National Guard 146th Signal Battalion. Mike was one of the long-term Guardsmen assigned to help with the Hurricane Andrew disaster and later the 295 Interstate Overpass Task Force of 1992 and for other hurricanes and forest fires. Twice he received the Florida Commendation Medal for his unselfish services to this state. During this time, Mike was employed at Jerry Hamm Chevrolet. For the last six years he has been by Home Depot. Mike will be remembered as a loving husband and father, an advocate of the Right of Bear Arms, and an avid lover of his Boxer dogs and of the outdoors. His love of nature and sense of responsibility was forged by working throughout his childhood with his grandfather in the family's orange grove in Clermont. He continued to carry on this responsibility for his mother until the time of his death. Mike viewed this time as a way of not only helping his mother, but preserving the three generations of his family's Florida legacy. He leaves behind to cherish his memory Carol, his loving wife of 23 years, his children, Stacy Clark, Stephanie Boyd, Heather (Richard) Holmes, Holly (Michael) Edwards and John Manss (Candyce King), six grandchildren, his mother Bessie P. Vinson of Clermont, sister Ginger (Rob) Bidwell, and his loving nieces and nephew, Amy (Chris) Wasman, Steve Bidwill, and his aunt, Candy Pemberton and cousins, Lisa and Tina. Funeral arrangements are being made by the HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME EDGEWOOD CHAPEL, 729 S. Edgewood Avenue. Family will receive friends at the viewing and service on Wednesday, April 4 from 6-8PM. Interment will be at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Clermont, on Thursday April 5, 2007 at 2PM.