Mr. Jack Vinyard

Jack Vinyard 1929-2014 (84), died peacefully February 12th, 2014 at the Kansas City Hospice House after a battle with heart disease. Born December 11th, 1929, Jack spent his youth in St Louis, Missouri, enlisting in the military at age 17. Jack served his country for 20 years, and retired from the Air Force as a Technical Sergeant. He was stationed all over the world and especially loved to tell stories of his time in Japan, Germany, Korea, and Iwo Jima. In 1953, he married the love of his life, Mardella Green, who was also in the Air Force. After their service to our country, they returned to the Midwest to raise their family, finally settling in the Kansas City area in 1977. Jack was a very talented artist who loved to draw and paint in several mediums; especially oils, charcoals, and pastels. Baseball was also a passion, and even though he loved the Kansas City Royals, they could never replace his childhood heroes, the St. Louis Cardinals. He had a musical gift and loved singing in his rich bass voice, playing guitar, organ, and piano. Other hobbies included reading, woodworking, fishing, and gardening. Jack is preceded in death by his wife Mardella, a son Michael, and a daughter Jaci. He is survived by his son Brian (Diane), his daughter Marsha Martin (Stuart), grandchildren Anna and Michael, and 2 great grandchildren. A visitation will be held at DW Newcomers Overland Park Chapel 8201 Metcalf Ave on Feb 15, 2014 at 2 PM with a service to follow at 3 PM. Burial will take place at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis MO at a later time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care 9221 Ward Pkwy Ste 100 KCMO 64114.

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