Tom Edward Vinson

Tom E. Vinson

Ava, Missouri

Tom Edward Vinson, 85 years, 6 months, 17 days old, passed away on August 7, 2026 at his home in Ava, Missouri with his family by his side.

On January 21, 1941, Tom was born in Douglas County, MO to Orvil and Retha Virginia (Holt) Vinson. Tom went to school in the one room schools of Black Oak Flat and Pine Park in Douglas County. He graduated from Ava High School in 1958.

Tom was a U.S. Air Force Veteran and served in the Vietnam War. Tom joined the United States Air Force on April 18, 1962. After tech school, he was sent to 401st TAC fighter wing at England Air Force Base, LA. He became a crew chief on the F-100D Fighter Jet (the first supersonic jets). He was sent to several alert pads around the world including Turkey and Tiawan. The spring of 1965, he was sent to Da Nage Air Base, South Vietnam. He was in charge of 18 Fighter Aircraft. After he was discharged from the U.S.A.F. he went to work for Lockheed Service Co. at Luke AirForce Base, AZ. They were training pilots for Vietnam. Then they sent him to Lake Charles, LA. Where they repaired UH Helicopters for Vietnam.

In June, 1970 he went back to school and became a tv repair man. In 1974 he came back to Douglas County and started building homes. In 1975 he started a trucking co., hauling lumber for Dee Cutbirth and woodbrokers. In 1978 he started building grade “A” barns for Farmers.

On November 13, 1981, Tom and Shirley Ann Clark were united in marriage at Ava by the Rev. Halstead and together were blessed with three daughters, Tonya, Heather, and Sarah.

Around 1985 he started building chain link fences for cemeteries. In the late 1980 Tom worked for Bill Hale. He knew Bill wanted to sell the old Wilson House. He also knew that his sister Sharon Sanders and her group was looking for a place to purchase. A deal was made. There was no money for repair. Tom worked on it in his spare time for the next 7 or 8 years. Finally in 1994 the Douglas County Museum was open. In 1996 Tom went back to driving a truck over the road. He loved driving by himself. He retired in 2014 at the age of 73.

In 1983 they bought part of his grandmother’s farm. In 2002 they bought half interest in his Mother and Dad’s place. The other half belonging to a daughter. It became Vinson Farms.

Tom was a member of Skyline school board for 9 years. He was in charge of Turky Creek Cemetary for about 45years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Barbara DeVore, Janey Genius and husband Malcum, Sharon Sanders and husband Eddie; as well as his infant grandson, David Shane Poole, Jr.

Tom is survived by his wife, Shirley; his three daughters, Tonya Poole (Timmy); Heather Clark, and Sarah Harden (Andrew); grandchildren, Amanda, Tiffany, Jessica, Shawn, Toby, Dana, Lydia, and Caleb; Brother-in-law Virgil Devore; many great grandchildren; many nieces; nephews; extended family and friends.

Funeral services for Tom will be Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 10:00 A.M. at the Cold Creek Cowboy Church, 18591 State Hwy. 5, Ava, MO. Burial will follow in the Turkey Creek Cemetery with full military honors by the U.S. Air Force and Ava Troy Herd American Legion Post 112. Officiating will be Pastor John Williams. Family requests memorials to the Turkey Cemetery. Services are being conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO.