Howard "Craig" Vinson

Rock Rapids, IA Former Lyon County Sheriff and Iowa Highway Patrolman, Howard "Craig" Vinson, of Rock Rapids, Iowa, age 96, passed away June 28, 2015 at Lyon Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rock Rapids, Iowa. A celebration of life will be held Friday, July 3 at 1:00 pm. at the United Methodist Church in Rock Rapids with Rev. Marcia Sangel, officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids. Visitation will be Thursday, July 2 from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m., with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Rock Rapids. The Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flower, the family requests that memorials be made to Rapid Speedway in Rock Rapids, IA. Craig was born March 6, 1919 in Algona, Iowa to Howard M. and Marguerite Laidley Vinson. He grew up in Algona until 1936, when his family moved to Conde, SD. Craig graduated from high school in Conde. After the death of his father, in 1938, Craig moved back to Algona. Craig loved to play football and in 1938, he and a friend hopped a freight train to Mitchell, SD to play football at Dakota Wesleyan University. At the freshman mixer, Craig met the love of his life, Betty Hays. They were married in 1939. During World War II, Craig was a welder in Bellevue, NE for Martin Bomber, building B-29 airplanes - including the Enola Gay. After the war, he and Betty returned to Algona, where Craig opened a car body shop and joined the volunteer fire department. In 1951, Craig joined the Iowa Highway Patrol. He was stationed in Sheldon, Iowa for a year then moved to Rock Rapids. Craig was elected Lyon County Sheriff in 1968. He was proud to serve in that position until 1981. After 1981 Craig spent many summers, helping his son, Tom, at the Rock River Country Club. He was a long time member of the United Methodist Church in Rock Rapids. Craig enjoyed playing golf in the same foursome for many years. He also loved attending car races at the Rapids Speedway. He so appreciated his longtime friendship with race car driver, Randy Rosenboom. He is survived by his wife of 76 years, Betty, his children, Tom (Sue) of Rock Rapids, Janey Vinson Pullen of Omaha, NE, and Peggy Underberg (Jay) of Sioux Falls, three grandchildren, Randy Vinson (Sarah), Vicki Vinson Kiel (Russell), and Jamie Christianson Martens, and two great grandchildren, Claire Vinson and Eli Vinson. Three nephews and a niece also survive. Craig was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Shirley Vinson Pratt, and his stepfather, Milton Dahl.