John “Ray” Vinson, 70, of Huntsville, passed away Monday. Ray was a standout quarterback for Jack Grizzard at Oxford High School in Oxford, AL. Named to1963’s All County Team and the Most Valuable Back in Calhoun County, he received a full scholarship to play football at Jacksonville State University under Coach Don Salls and later Jim Blevins. While at JSU he played both offense and defense, setting
records for interceptions and kick off returns that still stand. Being named First Team Little All American his senior year, he was drafted by the San Diego Chargers. From there he played with a Semi-Pro team in Joliette, Illinois and later for three years with the Huntsville Hawks. Ray was named to Jacksonville State University’s Sports Hall of Fame, JSU’s All Centennial Team and Calhoun County’s Sports Hall of Fame.
Survivors include his wife, Sandra Kirk Vinson; sisters, Rhonda Geddie and husband, Gary, Cheryl Sparks and husband, Jacky, Renee Wall and husband, Steve, and Celeste Morgan and husband, Rick; eleven nieces and nephews; and twenty great-nieces and great-nephews.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. in the chapel with the Rev. Joy Morgan officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Nathan Jackson Sparks Scholarship Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama, Anniston, AL, 36202 or a charity of your choice.
