Charles was born in Topeka, Kansas on February 16, 1940 to Charles Benjamin Vining and Mary Jean Vining, and was one of five children.
At the age of 16 he moved into a small apartment above the cabinet making shop where he worked both before and after school. Once he graduated from high school, Charles left Topeka and headed for Oklahoma City. Within a few days he quickly found work at a local department store, John A. Brown Company, as the assistant maintenance man. It was there he met his future bride, Jonell, and they were soon married on September 8, 1960.
Over the next couple of years, Charles and Jonelle saved enough money to buy their first home and had their first child, Charles Scott Vining, in May of 1962. A couple of years later they were blessed with another son, Michael Dean Vining, in October 1964.
Charles changed occupations in 1967 and went to work for Hartford Steam Boiler Insurance Company as a Boiler Inspector. He would often climb tall ladders at various power plants and squeeze into the small openings of the boilers to do the inspections. He was always careful to bring his own padlocks and lock the doors in their “open” position before climbing inside to do his inspections.
Over the next 30 years Charles was promoted frequently and moved his family to Houston, TX, Plano, TX, Thousand Oaks, CA, San Francisco, CA, Hartford, CT, and ultimately back to Plano, TX. He finished his career with Arise, Inc. where he still has friends to this day.
Jonell and Charles traveled all around the continental US in their motor home and visited all 48 contiguous states and countless National Parks. He could fix almost anything it seemed and could usually find just the right tool for the job somewhere in his garage. Charles loved to laugh, play dominos, and spend time with family. He was a hard-working, kind, and generous man that always had a smile on his face.
Charles was an active member of Central Christian Church of Plano and enjoyed meeting with members of his “Seekers” Sunday School class at Poor Richards Café. He was a 35 year Mason, Scottish Rite 32nd Degree, Knight Commander Court of Honor, and an active member of the Plano Shrine Club. He enjoyed doing volunteer work and sharing meals with many of his Brothers at Poor Richards Café too.
The family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all the incredible caregivers at Texas Oncology, Baylor Scott & White, and a multitude of other healthcare providers. We’d also like to thank Sue Schmitt, Shirley Reed, his many friends and breakfast companions, the Peggy Lane Super Heros that continue to be sweet and loving neighbors, Plano Masonic Lodge, and Central Christian Church.
Charles is survived by his wife, Jonell Vining, his sons, Scott Vining and wife Rose, Michael Vining and wife Linda, two grandchildren, Samantha and Sierra Melomo, his niece Brandy Binkley and son Sam, brother-in-law Jim Forrester, his sister, Beth Fletcher, and all of his countless Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ.
Many people have really good husbands and fathers, our family got really lucky and had a great one.
Thank you for celebrating Charles’ amazing life with us. He will forever live on in our hearts and into eternity with Our Lord in Heaven.
A Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 2:00 PM at the Ted Dickey Funeral Home, 2128 18th St Plano, Texas 75074.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.TedDickeyFuneral.com for the Vining family.
Arrangements by Ted Dickey Funeral Home.
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