Richard Elton Vinson, 87, of Troy

Richard Elton Vinson was born Nov. 9, 1931 in Wolf Point, Mont. to Elton and Dorothy (Mosleth) Vinson. He was the third of five children.

Dick graduated from Troy High School in 1950. He served in the United States Navy from Nov. 30, 1950 to Sept. 30, 1954.  Dick married Kay Louise Miller on Feb. 9, 1955 in Libby, Mont. He worked at both the Libby and Troy lumber mills. In Libby, he worked at the maintenance department and spent 43 years in service of the company.

Grandpa Dick was a kind family man. He could frequently be found with a smile on his face in the company of many grandchildren.

Dick passed away at the age of 87 on the afternoon of March 9, 2019. He was preceded in death by his wife of over 55 years Mrs. Kay L. Vinson. His wife passed away on Sept. 1, 2010. He was also preceded in death by his father, Elton Vinson, his mother, Dorothy Vinson, his brother, Verle Vinson and his sister, Harriet Welch.

Dick is survived by his son Richard “Mick” Vinson, his daughter, Melody Johnson, his brother, Dale Vinson, his sister, Marilyn Vinson, six grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren.

A party to celebrate his life was held on Saturday, March 23 at 2 p.m. at the Elks Lodge in Libby.