John was born 11 March 1944, in Tacoma, Washington. He died 11 August 2012, in Kennewick, Washington. He was raised in the Tri-Cities and in and around Fairbanks, Alaska. When his mother could not find him, she always looked for his backpack. If the pack was gone, she knew he was out tramping around in the woods. Years later, he said that he came to realize that the .22 rifle he carried would have been totally inadequate had he encountered a bear. John served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. While stationed in San Diego, CA, he met and later married Ara on April 27, 1968. John was a member of Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 598. He worked at Hanford for a number of years. John and Ara have lived in the Tri-Cities for 39 years. He was predeceased by his parents, Chester James and Margaret Skahan Vinnedge, and stepmother Eva Day Vinnedge Jacobsen. He is survived by his wife of 44 years: Ara Inez Campbell Vinnedge; 4 children: Donald L. Becky Vinnedge, Kennewick, Washington; Charmaine L. Steven Rampey, Kennewick; John S. Shirley Vinnedge, Pasco, Washington; and Richard D. JJ Vinnedge, Cottage Grove, Oregon; 8 grandchildren and5 great-grandchildren. John is also survived by 5 stepbrothers: Charles K. Karen Day, Mill Creek, Washington; Terrence L. Ruth Day Pullman, Washington; Theodore B. Day Seattle, Washington; Daniel G. Shirley Day, Poway, California; Victor M. Inge Day, Germany; sisters: Christy Jo Vinnedge Sam Geyer, Kennewick, Washington; and brother David W. Julie Vinnedge, St. Charles, Missouri. A memorial service and celebration of John's life will be held Saturday, August 18, at 1 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ ofLatter-day Saints at 4445 S. Olympia St., Kennewick, WA 99337. John Vinnedge has "Gone Fishing."