H P Vinson Jr

Mr. H. P. Vinson, Jr. Mr. Henry Putnam "H.P." Vinson, Jr., 79, well-known Columbia businessman and real estate developer and resident of the Pulaski Pike, died Sunday, April 11, 2004 at Maury Regional Hospital. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols with Rev. Mike Dawson officiating. Burial will be in the Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Monday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimers Association, c/o Margaret Prince, 115 Skyview Drive, Columbia, 38401 or Hospice of Highland Rim, 2014 Elmer Pogue Drive, Columbia 38401. A native of Model, Tennessee, now a part of "The Land Between The Lakes," he was the son of the late Henry Putnam Vinson, Sr. and Monico Knight Vinson. He was a graduate of Stewart County High School. He began his career travelling from town-to-town showing movies in tent shows and one-room schoolhouses. He came to Columbia and opened the Sundown Theatre in 1954. The Sundown operated until he built and opened Shady Brook Theatre and Development, as well as operating the Polk Theatre for a number of years and various real estate developments. Mr. Vinson was past president of the Tennessee Theatre Owners Association. He also was a member of the Foundation of Motion PicturesPioneers Club, Variety Club International, charity arm of the motion picture industry, and the Foundation Board of Columbia State Community College. He was a member of the First Baptist Church. He was married December 22, 1944 to the former Dorothy Nell "Dot" Bilbrey, who preceded him in death June 16, 2003. Survivors include two sons, Darrell Vinson and Vince (Susie) Vinson, both of Columbia; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Betty Vinson of Columbia; nieces and nephews, Peggy Gee, Peggy Jannotta, Mona Hoffman, Carolyn Ritchie, Dr. Janice Vinson, Robbie Downs, Danny Knott, Bobby Dill and Henry Vinson. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Janet Ann Vinson; a sister, Ruth Dill and two brothers, Dr. B. J. Vinson and Carl Vinson. Active pallbearers are Kevin Pease, Randell Cheek, John Totty, Scott Matta, James Boyd, Jerry Dickey, Larry Nickell, Stan Alderson. Honorary pallbearers are Robbie Brickner, Jonathan Counts, Donald Pulley, Judge Bobby Holloway, Leon Billingsley, Dr. William Fuqua, Dr. Allan Lay, Virgil Moore, Waymon Hickman, Dr. Gaylon Harris, Randolph Lockridge, Rudolph Lockridge, Jimmy Lockridge, and past and present caregivers